Malicious Code Injection in electrical_cicada_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102024: Malicious code in electrical_cicada_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The electrical_cicada_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the tea.xyz token reward system. It is designed to automatically generate and publish derivative packages, which can lead to a polluted npm registry and potential security risks for developers using these packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the electrical_cicada_z3n package originates from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which can lead to the proliferation of untrustworthy packages in the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall electrical_cicada_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the electrical_cicada_z3n package until a patched version is released. Additionally, consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The electrical_cicada_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and proliferates untrustworthy packages. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
See every vulnerability recorded for electrical_cicada_z3n →
FAQ
The electrical_cicada_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
If you have installed the electrical_cicada_z3n package, it is recommended to remove it and update to a patched version or use an alternative package.
You can use Vulert to monitor your application for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. By simply analyzing your package-lock.json file, Vulert alerts you to any potential issues.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
