Malicious Code Injection in correct_squid_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-93824: Malicious code in correct_squid_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The correct_squid_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 npm with packages containing malicious scripts. This package specifically is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the correct_squid_z3n package stems from malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to inflate developer reputation scores and pollute the npm registry with numerous variants of the package. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which exploits npm's publishing mechanisms.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall correct_squid_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 prevent the installation of the correct_squid_z3n package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock your dependencies. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without any signup.
Conclusion
The correct_squid_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to applications using it. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your project for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help ensure your application remains secure.
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FAQ
The correct_squid_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, often used in JavaScript applications.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to further vulnerabilities and inflating developer reputation scores through spammy package publishing.
You should uninstall the correct_squid_z3n package immediately and check for any dependencies that may rely on it.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
