Malicious Code Injection in secure_bovid_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-90452: Malicious code in secure_bovid_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The secure_bovid_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate token rewards by generating and publishing derivative packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of applications that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the secure_bovid_z3n package originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores but also pollutes the npm registry, leading to potential security risks for developers who inadvertently use these compromised packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall secure_bovid_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 avoid using the secure_bovid_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, ensure that your package-lock.json file is monitored for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
Conclusion
The secure_bovid_z3n package contains malicious code that poses significant security risks to applications using it. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive is key to maintaining application security.
See every vulnerability recorded for secure_bovid_z3n →
FAQ
The secure_bovid_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to security risks and polluting the npm registry.
You should uninstall the secure_bovid_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
If a patched version of the secure_bovid_z3n package is released, you should update to that version as soon as possible to mitigate the risks.
