Malicious Code Injection in coloured_cheetah_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-100684: Malicious code in coloured_cheetah_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The coloured_cheetah_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate npm's publishing system, potentially affecting developers' reputations and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the coloured_cheetah_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that utilizes autopublish scripts to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and continuously republishing variants. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for applications using these packages, and a compromised developer reputation system.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall coloured_cheetah_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 this package by using npm's package-lock.json to monitor your dependencies. Ensure that your project does not include the coloured_cheetah_z3n package and regularly audit your dependencies for any malicious packages.
Conclusion
The coloured_cheetah_z3n package poses significant risks due to its malicious nature, which is part of a broader campaign to manipulate the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for coloured_cheetah_z3n →
FAQ
coloured_cheetah_z3n is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
If you have installed the coloured_cheetah_z3n package, you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall coloured_cheetah_z3n' and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Yes, using the coloured_cheetah_z3n package can lead to security vulnerabilities, pollution of the npm registry, and potential damage to your project's integrity.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and stay updated on known vulnerabilities in the packages you use.
