Malicious Code Injection in overwhelming_goose_z3n Package: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-122434: Malicious code in overwhelming_goose_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The overwhelming_goose_z3n package is part of a series of malicious packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores but also poses significant risks to users who may inadvertently install these compromised packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the overwhelming_goose_z3n package stems from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This results in a proliferation of derivative packages that can clutter the npm registry and potentially lead to security risks for developers and users alike. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploited npm's publishing mechanisms to distribute harmful code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall overwhelming_goose_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the overwhelming_goose_z3n package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Monitor your package-lock.json file for any unexpected changes or additions that may indicate the presence of malicious packages.
Conclusion
The overwhelming_goose_z3n package represents a significant threat within the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. By understanding the nature of this vulnerability and taking proactive steps to remove affected packages, developers can safeguard their applications from potential risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can further enhance security by providing real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for overwhelming_goose_z3n →
FAQ
It is a malicious npm package that is part of a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. Visit the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
Using this package can lead to security vulnerabilities, cluttering of the npm registry, and potential exposure to malicious code that could affect your application.
There is no patch available for this specific package. The best course of action is to uninstall it and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activity.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the packages you use.
