Malicious Code Injection in old_carp_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-95744: Malicious code in old_carp_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'old_carp_z3n' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity of the npm registry and can lead to widespread pollution of the ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'old_carp_z3n' originates from its malicious design, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names. This results in the continuous republishing of variants, which can clutter the npm registry and potentially lead to the installation of compromised packages by unsuspecting developers. The malicious payload is part of a broader strategy to exploit the npm ecosystem for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall old_carp_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using 'old_carp_z3n' and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate risks from malicious packages.
Conclusion
The 'old_carp_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their dependencies for similar threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance your project's security posture.
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FAQ
'old_carp_z3n' is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of compromised packages, which may introduce security risks and clutter your project's dependencies.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
It is advisable to remove 'old_carp_z3n' from your project immediately and audit your dependencies for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your project's dependencies.
