Malicious Code Injection in Rude Otter Z3N Package
Summary
MAL-2025-108240: Malicious code in rude_otter_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
Rude Otter Z3N is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which are often used to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the Rude Otter Z3N package originates from its inclusion in a campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages contain scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the security of applications that depend on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rude_otter_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 Rude Otter Z3N package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall rude_otter_z3n. This will prevent the malicious code from executing in your application.
Conclusion
The Rude Otter Z3N package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the security of the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or uninstalling the package to protect their applications from potential threats.
See every vulnerability recorded for rude_otter_z3n →
FAQ
Rude Otter Z3N is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and compromise the security of applications that rely on the affected package.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software without requiring access to the code or installation.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
