Malicious Code Injection in partial_cattle_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-122445: Malicious code in partial_cattle_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The partial_cattle_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, often used for various JavaScript applications. It is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with packages that inflate developer reputation scores. This package, like others in its category, is designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, making it susceptible to malicious exploitation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the partial_cattle_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 is intended to pollute the npm registry and can lead to significant security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data and the proliferation of malicious packages across the ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall partial_cattle_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 the partial_cattle_z3n package altogether. If it is already included in your project, remove it by running the command: npm uninstall partial_cattle_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The partial_cattle_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and utilize tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
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FAQ
The partial_cattle_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, known for generating and publishing derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially exposing your application to security risks and malicious activities.
You should uninstall the partial_cattle_z3n package immediately and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without any signup.
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