Malicious Code Injection in empty_clownfish_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94239: Malicious code in empty_clownfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The empty_clownfish_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which are intended to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the security of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the empty_clownfish_z3n package stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to further exploitation or security breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall empty_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 empty_clownfish_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 empty_clownfish_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and utilize tools like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
The empty_clownfish_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to further security risks and polluting the npm registry.
You should uninstall the empty_clownfish_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any other vulnerabilities.
Regularly audit your dependencies and use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
