Malicious Code Injection in tall_mockingbird_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-109446: Malicious code in tall_mockingbird_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'tall_mockingbird_z3n' 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 automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards associated with the tea protocol. The package's functionality is compromised due to its malicious intent, posing a significant risk to developers and the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'tall_mockingbird_z3n' originates from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially damaging the reputation of legitimate developers. The malicious payload can also facilitate further exploitation by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information or enabling the distribution of harmful code.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tall_mockingbird_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 'tall_mockingbird_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The 'tall_mockingbird_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
The 'tall_mockingbird_z3n' package is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially damaging your project's reputation and exposing it to further security risks.
You should uninstall the 'tall_mockingbird_z3n' package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without needing to sign up.
