Malicious Code Injection in unexpected_bird_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-91521: Malicious code in unexpected_bird_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unexpected_bird_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package was identified as part of a malicious campaign that aimed to exploit the npm registry by flooding it with derivative packages. The primary functionality of this package is to serve as a token reward mechanism, but it has been compromised to perform harmful actions.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. It contains scripts that automatically modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the pollution of the npm registry and can potentially harm developers' reputations and project integrity.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unexpected_bird_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 unexpected_bird_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your package dependencies to identify and remove any malicious packages.
Conclusion
The unexpected_bird_z3n package has been compromised and poses a significant risk to developers using it. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activity. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The unexpected_bird_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at exploiting the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially harming your project's integrity and reputation by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the unexpected_bird_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
