Malicious Code Injection in screeching_tern_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-90446: Malicious code in screeching_tern_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
screeching_tern_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm ecosystem. This package is designed to participate in the tea.xyz token reward scheme, which incentivizes developers to publish numerous derivative packages. The package's functionality is compromised by the inclusion of scripts that manipulate its metadata and behavior, leading to potential security risks for users and developers alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in screeching_tern_z3n originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk of reputation inflation for developers involved in the scheme. The scripts included in the package (auto.js, autopublish.js, etc.) are designed to automatically publish these variants, making it difficult for users to identify and mitigate the threat.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall screeching_tern_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 screeching_tern_z3n package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall screeching_tern_z3n. This will help mitigate the risk until a patched version is available.
Conclusion
The discovery of malicious code in the screeching_tern_z3n package highlights the importance of vigilance in the npm ecosystem. Developers should take immediate action to secure their projects by updating or removing affected packages and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring.
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FAQ
screeching_tern_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the publication of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code that alters package metadata.
If you have installed screeching_tern_z3n, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
You can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Vulert analyzes your package-lock.json file to alert you of any issues without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
