Malicious Code Injection in fast_cockroach_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-102585: Malicious code in fast_cockroach_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The fast_cockroach_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 can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been compromised to include malicious scripts that manipulate its metadata.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious code embedded in the fast_cockroach_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the pollution of the npm registry. The implications of this vulnerability include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages, as well as damage to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall fast_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 fast_cockroach_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The fast_cockroach_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses a risk to developers and the npm ecosystem. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for updates or alternatives to ensure the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The fast_cockroach_z3n package is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation of derivative packages.
The malicious code can alter your project's package.json, remove private flags, and generate random package names, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.
You should remove the fast_cockroach_z3n package from your project and monitor for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can also check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, consider looking for other npm packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks of malicious code.
