Malicious Code Injection in various_wildfowl_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-91662: Malicious code in various_wildfowl_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The various_wildfowl_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of this package is to serve as a conduit for autopublishing scripts that generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, potentially compromising the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from malicious code embedded within the various_wildfowl_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only inflates developer reputation scores for the tea protocol token rewards but also pollutes the npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages. The origin of this issue is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall various_wildfowl_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 various_wildfowl_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The various_wildfowl_z3n package poses a significant risk 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 various_wildfowl_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for containing malicious code that affects the npm registry.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to reputation inflation and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the various_wildfowl_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall various_wildfowl_z3n' and check for any alternative packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring code access or installation.
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.
