Malicious Code Injection in constitutional_cicada_z3n: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-100892: Malicious code in constitutional_cicada_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'constitutional_cicada_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'constitutional_cicada_z3n' originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload modifies 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 use these compromised packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall constitutional_cicada_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 'constitutional_cicada_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity of the packages you include in your project.
Conclusion
The 'constitutional_cicada_z3n' package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities. Immediate action is required to mitigate the risks associated with this package.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with a token reward campaign that has been identified as containing malicious code.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of compromised code in your application, potentially exposing it to security risks.
You should uninstall the 'constitutional_cicada_z3n' package immediately and review your project's dependencies for any other potentially malicious packages.
You can use tools like 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 requiring any signup.
