Malicious Code Injection in gothic_albatross_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-94721: Malicious code in gothic_albatross_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The gothic_albatross_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, primarily used for JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with various packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, potentially leading to security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the gothic_albatross_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 are then republished to the npm registry. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs these tactics to manipulate the npm ecosystem. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry and potential security risks for applications relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall gothic_albatross_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 remove the gothic_albatross_z3n package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall gothic_albatross_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application.
Conclusion
The gothic_albatross_z3n package contains malicious code that poses a significant risk to applications using it. It is crucial to update or remove the package to safeguard your project from potential vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing open-source vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which is known for flooding the npm registry with malicious packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
If no patched version is available, it is advisable to remove the package from your project to mitigate any risks.
Regularly monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to issues in real-time.
