Malicious Code Injection in puzzled_bovid_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-107558: Malicious code in puzzled_bovid_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 puzzled_bovid_z3n package is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by creating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making the package susceptible to malicious exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the puzzled_bovid_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of other packages. The malicious payload can potentially allow attackers to execute unauthorized code or manipulate the package ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall puzzled_bovid_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 remove the puzzled_bovid_z3n package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall puzzled_bovid_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The puzzled_bovid_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its involvement in a malicious campaign that alters package data and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for puzzled_bovid_z3n →
FAQ
The puzzled_bovid_z3n package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized code execution, manipulation of package data, and pollution of the npm registry, potentially affecting the integrity of your application.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. By utilizing the Vulert playground, you can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If you are using the puzzled_bovid_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately and check for any updates or patches that may be released to address the vulnerability.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and ensure you only use trusted packages from reputable sources.
