Malicious Code Injection in conceptual_centipede_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-100802: Malicious code in conceptual_centipede_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The package conceptual_centipede_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to generate and publish derivative packages automatically, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in conceptual_centipede_z3n originates from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This can result in a loss of trust in the affected packages and potential exploitation by malicious actors.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall conceptual_centipede_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the package from your project by executing: npm uninstall conceptual_centipede_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application.
Conclusion
The conceptual_centipede_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action to remove or update this package to safeguard their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for conceptual_centipede_z3n →
FAQ
conceptual_centipede_z3n is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign that has been found to contain malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to further risks and compromising the integrity of the npm registry.
If you have conceptual_centipede_z3n installed, you should uninstall it immediately or update it to a patched version if available.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can also check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
