Malicious Code Injection in complex_cat_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93678: Malicious code in complex_cat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The complex_cat_z3n package is an npm library that is part of a broader ecosystem of packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names, to manipulate developer reputation scores within the npm registry. This behavior poses significant risks to developers and users relying on npm packages for their projects.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the complex_cat_z3n package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to flood the npm registry with derivative packages, leading to potential security risks, including the inadvertent use of compromised packages by developers. The malicious payload can also affect the integrity of the npm ecosystem by polluting the registry with untrustworthy packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall complex_cat_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 complex_cat_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The complex_cat_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. By taking these steps, you can help maintain the integrity of your software and the broader npm ecosystem.
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FAQ
The complex_cat_z3n package is an npm library associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the complex_cat_z3n package immediately and check your package-lock.json for any lingering references.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities and alerts you in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
