Malicious Code Injection in eldest_cockroach_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-94200: Malicious code in eldest_cockroach_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The eldest_cockroach_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This campaign has led to the proliferation of numerous packages that include scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores. The package is primarily used for generating and publishing derivative packages, which can lead to significant issues within the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the eldest_cockroach_z3n package stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. This code removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the pollution of the npm registry. The malicious payload is designed to continuously republish these variants, thereby compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem and potentially affecting other developers relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall eldest_cockroach_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 eldest_cockroach_z3n package and any packages that depend on it. Additionally, consider using a tool 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 eldest_cockroach_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to uninstall this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive can help mitigate the risks associated with such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The eldest_cockroach_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, potentially leading to the pollution of the npm registry and affecting your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the eldest_cockroach_z3n package immediately using 'npm uninstall eldest_cockroach_z3n' and check your package-lock.json for any references.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
If a patched version of the eldest_cockroach_z3n package is released, you can update to it using 'npm update eldest_cockroach_z3n'.
