Malicious Code Injection in intelligent_clownfish_z3n: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-104296: Malicious code in intelligent_clownfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The intelligent_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 can 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 originates from the malicious intent behind the intelligent_clownfish_z3n package, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This behavior leads to the pollution of the npm registry with numerous derivative packages, potentially affecting developers' reputations and the overall trustworthiness of the npm ecosystem. The malicious payload can also create 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 intelligent_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 intelligent_clownfish_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for any unintended dependencies that may include this malicious package.
Conclusion
The intelligent_clownfish_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package involved in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code can compromise your application's integrity and pollute the npm registry, affecting your project's reputation.
You should uninstall the intelligent_clownfish_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any related vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
