Malicious Code Injection in worldwide_buzzard_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110997: Malicious code in worldwide_buzzard_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The worldwide_buzzard_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package, like many others, is intended to facilitate the development of applications by providing reusable code. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that exploits npm's publishing mechanisms to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package being part of a token reward campaign that floods the npm registry with malicious packages. It contains scripts designed to modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious packages, potentially leading to further exploitation or data breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall worldwide_buzzard_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the worldwide_buzzard_z3n package and replace it with a trusted alternative. Additionally, you can use the following command to audit your npm packages for vulnerabilities: 'npm audit'. This will help identify any other potentially vulnerable packages in your project.
Conclusion
The worldwide_buzzard_z3n package has been identified as a malicious entity within the npm ecosystem, capable of compromising project integrity through automated scripts. It is essential for developers to remain vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to ensure their projects are secure.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
If you have this package installed, it can modify your package.json file and potentially lead to the installation of other malicious packages, compromising your project's security.
You should uninstall the worldwide_buzzard_z3n package immediately and audit your project for any other vulnerabilities.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time 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 any signup.
