Malicious Code Injection in prepared_clam_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-95989: Malicious code in prepared_clam_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The prepared_clam_z3n package 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 that has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names, thus compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the prepared_clam_z3n package stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising other projects that depend on these packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to a campaign aimed at exploiting npm for token rewards, making it a significant threat to developers and users relying on npm packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall prepared_clam_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 prevent the installation of this malicious package by using the following command to uninstall it: npm uninstall prepared_clam_z3n. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The prepared_clam_z3n package poses a significant threat due to its malicious behavior aimed at manipulating the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and take immediate action to remove any affected packages to maintain the integrity of their projects.
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FAQ
The prepared_clam_z3n package is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
This vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, potentially compromising your project by introducing malicious code or dependencies that can affect its functionality and security.
If you have the prepared_clam_z3n package installed, you should uninstall it immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project using npm audit.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, keep your packages updated, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in your project.
