Malicious Code Injection in unknown_bird_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110147: Malicious code in unknown_bird_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unknown_bird_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been linked to a token reward campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. Its functionality is compromised due to the presence of malicious scripts that manipulate package metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the unknown_bird_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 can lead to pollution of the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially exposing their projects to further vulnerabilities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unknown_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 prevent the installation of the unknown_bird_z3n package by adding it to your project's .npmrc file with the following line: 'package-lock=false'. This will help avoid any accidental installations of this malicious package.
Conclusion
The unknown_bird_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that manipulates package metadata and floods the npm registry. Developers are urged to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for any potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The unknown_bird_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it harder to find legitimate packages and potentially exposing your project to further security risks.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup at Vulert Scanner.
If you have installed the unknown_bird_z3n package, it is advisable to uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall unknown_bird_z3n' to mitigate any risks.
Currently, there is no specific patch for the unknown_bird_z3n package. The best course of action is to remove the package from your project.
