Malicious Code Injection in oral_cuckoo_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-89318: Malicious code in oral_cuckoo_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The oral_cuckoo_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the oral_cuckoo_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which are then republished to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can compromise the integrity of the npm ecosystem, allowing for potential exploitation by malicious actors.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall oral_cuckoo_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can prevent the installation of the oral_cuckoo_z3n package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock dependencies. Additionally, consider using the following command to audit your project for vulnerabilities: npm audit.
Conclusion
The oral_cuckoo_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry entries. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your project for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
See every vulnerability recorded for oral_cuckoo_z3n →
FAQ
The oral_cuckoo_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can compromise the integrity of your application by introducing malicious code that modifies package configurations and republishing them.
You should immediately remove the oral_cuckoo_z3n package from your project and check for any unauthorized changes in your package.json file.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies using npm audit and keep your packages updated to their latest secure versions.
