Malicious Code Injection in relevant_centipede_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-107851: Malicious code in relevant_centipede_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The relevant_centipede_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, which has been linked to a series of malicious activities aimed at inflating developer reputation scores. The package's functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that manipulate its metadata and behavior, leading to potential security risks for users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious payload embedded within the relevant_centipede_z3n package. This payload modifies the package.json file by removing private flags, altering version numbers, and generating random package names. The scripts are designed to autopublish derivative packages, which can pollute the npm registry and compromise the integrity of the ecosystem. Users of this package may unknowingly contribute to the spread of malicious code, leading to further security vulnerabilities in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall relevant_centipede_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 the relevant_centipede_z3n package by using npm's package-lock.json file to lock your dependencies. This will help avoid inadvertently installing the malicious package until a fix is implemented.
Conclusion
The relevant_centipede_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its embedded malicious code. Users are advised to uninstall the package and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications by providing real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been identified as containing malicious code.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the publication of derivative packages, potentially compromising your application's security.
You should uninstall the relevant_centipede_z3n package immediately and check your project for any other affected dependencies.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
