Malicious Code Injection in controversial_cat_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93788: Malicious code in controversial_cat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The controversial_cat_z3n package 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 for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded within the controversial_cat_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The scripts are designed to continuously republish these variants, leading to pollution of the npm registry and potential exploitation by malicious actors. The ramifications include loss of control over the package, potential security breaches, and damage to the reputation of developers associated with the affected package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall controversial_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 measure, you can avoid using the controversial_cat_z3n package and any of its derivatives. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The controversial_cat_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its embedded malicious code. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for any potential vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive can help maintain the integrity of your software.
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FAQ
It is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json, removes private flags, and can lead to the continuous republishing of compromised packages.
You should uninstall the controversial_cat_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall controversial_cat_z3n'.
Yes, consider using other npm packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks of malicious code.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by visiting the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
