Malicious Code Injection in constitutional_crab_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93750: Malicious code in constitutional_crab_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The constitutional_crab_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used in JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in the campaign, is vulnerable to malicious code injection that alters its functionality and integrity.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the constitutional_crab_z3n package stems from its inclusion in a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to pollute the npm registry and can lead to the distribution of compromised software, potentially affecting any application that relies on this package. The malicious payload can also lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of the software environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall constitutional_crab_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using the constitutional_crab_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes using tools like Vulert.
Conclusion
The constitutional_crab_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code injection. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the integrity of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the distribution of compromised software, potentially allowing unauthorized access and manipulation of your application.
You should uninstall the constitutional_crab_z3n package immediately and consider using alternative packages.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
