Malicious Code Injection in controversial_clownfish_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93789: Malicious code in controversial_clownfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The controversial_clownfish_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often associated with token reward campaigns. It is designed to facilitate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, this package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially damaging the reputation of legitimate developers. The malicious scripts included in the package are designed to automate these processes, making it difficult for users to detect the underlying threat.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall controversial_clownfish_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 controversial_clownfish_z3n package and replace it with a trusted alternative that provides similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The controversial_clownfish_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities to maintain security and integrity.
See every vulnerability recorded for controversial_clownfish_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package associated with token reward campaigns that has been identified to contain malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor for vulnerabilities, and use trusted packages from reputable sources.
