Malicious Code Injection in inc_canidae_z3n Package: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-94977: Malicious code in inc_canidae_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The inc_canidae_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and has been identified as part of a malicious campaign associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative. This package is designed to manipulate npm's package registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with altered metadata. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, making it a significant threat to the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the inc_canidae_z3n package stems from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the security of applications that depend on this package. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a broader campaign that exploits npm's publishing mechanisms for malicious purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall inc_canidae_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 inc_canidae_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 dependencies.
Conclusion
The inc_canidae_z3n package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is crucial to uninstall this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
The inc_canidae_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
This vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the inc_canidae_z3n package immediately and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
