Malicious Code Injection in electronic_catfish_z3n: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-94214: Malicious code in electronic_catfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package electronic_catfish_z3n is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores. However, it has been compromised to include malicious code that modifies package metadata and publishes variants to the npm registry, posing a significant risk to users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in electronic_catfish_z3n originates from its involvement in a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious payload alters the package.json file by removing private flags, changing version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and potentially compromise the integrity of applications relying on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall electronic_catfish_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, avoid using the electronic_catfish_z3n package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly audit your dependencies to ensure they are secure.
Conclusion
The electronic_catfish_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their dependencies to maintain application security.
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FAQ
electronic_catfish_z3n is an npm package that is part of a token reward campaign but has been compromised to include malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of unauthorized packages, potentially compromising your application's integrity.
You should uninstall the electronic_catfish_z3n package immediately and check your project for any unauthorized changes.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit or Vulert to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
