Malicious Code Injection in grand_centipede_z3n: Exploiting npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-94737: Malicious code in grand_centipede_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The grand_centipede_z3n package is part of a broader ecosystem within npm, primarily used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, which can lead to significant security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the grand_centipede_z3n package being part of a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names and continuously republishes variants, polluting the npm registry. This behavior can lead to the unintentional use of compromised packages, potentially exposing applications to further vulnerabilities and malicious attacks.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall grand_centipede_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 grand_centipede_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The grand_centipede_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that modifies package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any similar vulnerabilities to ensure the integrity of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for grand_centipede_z3n →
FAQ
grand_centipede_z3n is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of compromised packages into your application, increasing the risk of security breaches and malicious attacks.
You should uninstall the grand_centipede_z3n package immediately and check your project for any references to it in your package-lock.json file.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
