Malicious Code Vulnerability in coherent_barracuda_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100635: Malicious code in coherent_barracuda_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The coherent_barracuda_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages. However, this package has been identified as malicious, containing scripts that manipulate package metadata to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the presence of malicious code within the coherent_barracuda_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, thereby polluting the npm registry. The malicious payload is part of a broader scheme to automate the creation and publication of numerous derivative packages, which can lead to security risks and reputational damage for developers.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall coherent_barracuda_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 remove the coherent_barracuda_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall coherent_barracuda_z3n. This will prevent the execution of the malicious code until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The coherent_barracuda_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of your project. It is crucial to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring for updates. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you stay informed about vulnerabilities in your dependencies.
See every vulnerability recorded for coherent_barracuda_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and unwanted package publications.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that may be released.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
