Malicious Code Vulnerability in light_catshark_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-98791: Malicious code in light_catshark_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The light_catshark_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been linked to a series of malicious packages that flood the npm registry. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the malicious intent behind the light_catshark_z3n package, which contains scripts that automatically modify the package.json file. The scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for developers using these packages, and a compromised development environment.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall light_catshark_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 light_catshark_z3n package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The light_catshark_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry practices. It is crucial for developers to uninstall this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
See every vulnerability recorded for light_catshark_z3n →
FAQ
The light_catshark_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for containing malicious scripts.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the security of your development environment by introducing malicious code.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command: npm uninstall light_catshark_z3n.
Yes, consider looking for other npm packages that offer similar functionality without the associated risks.
You can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time by analyzing your package-lock.json file. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
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