Malicious Code Injection in puzzled_bird_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-122733: Malicious code in puzzled_bird_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The puzzled_bird_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package was identified as part of a campaign that aimed to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with malicious packages. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages with random names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the puzzled_bird_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall puzzled_bird_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 remove the package from your project by executing the following command in your terminal: npm uninstall puzzled_bird_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application.
Conclusion
The puzzled_bird_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for any vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
puzzled_bird_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to exploit the npm registry.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the installation of compromised packages, potentially introducing security vulnerabilities.
You should immediately uninstall the puzzled_bird_z3n package and check your project for any other potentially compromised packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
