Malicious Code Injection in rotten_camel_z3n Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-96399: Malicious code in rotten_camel_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rotten_camel_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the malicious design of the rotten_camel_z3n package, which includes scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags and change version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior can lead to security risks, including the potential for dependency confusion and the spread of malicious software within the developer community.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rotten_camel_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds to mitigate the effects of this vulnerability other than removing the affected package. Regularly monitor your dependencies and consider using tools like Vulert to check for vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The rotten_camel_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with unwanted packages. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for rotten_camel_z3n →
FAQ
rotten_camel_z3n is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and can lead to the proliferation of unwanted packages in the npm registry, potentially compromising your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the rotten_camel_z3n package immediately using the command npm uninstall rotten_camel_z3n and check your package-lock.json for any lingering references.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for 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 needing to sign up.
