Malicious Code Injection in orthodox_cat_z3n: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-89328: Malicious code in orthodox_cat_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'orthodox_cat_z3n' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages often contain scripts designed to manipulate package metadata and inflate developer reputation scores, posing a significant risk to developers and users alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'orthodox_cat_z3n' originates from its association with a malicious campaign that includes scripts such as auto.js and autopublish.js. These scripts modify the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can compromise the integrity of the ecosystem. The ramifications include potential security risks for applications relying on this package, as well as damage to the reputation of developers who may unknowingly use it.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall orthodox_cat_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 'orthodox_cat_z3n' package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file for real-time alerts on open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The 'orthodox_cat_z3n' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert to ensure the security of their applications.
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FAQ
The 'orthodox_cat_z3n' package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating package metadata and inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
If you have installed 'orthodox_cat_z3n', you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall orthodox_cat_z3n' and look for alternative packages.
You can use Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities by analyzing your package-lock.json file. This tool provides real-time alerts for any open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
