Malicious Code Injection in stiff_ocelot_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-90759: Malicious code in stiff_ocelot_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The stiff_ocelot_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 in the stiff_ocelot_z3n package originates from its malicious payload, which 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 affecting other packages and developers by inflating reputation scores fraudulently.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall stiff_ocelot_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 temporarily prevent the installation of the stiff_ocelot_z3n package by using the following command: npm uninstall stiff_ocelot_z3n. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your package dependencies for vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The stiff_ocelot_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability that can compromise the integrity of the npm registry. It is crucial to remove this package from your project and monitor for any further vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for stiff_ocelot_z3n →
FAQ
The stiff_ocelot_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting the integrity of your project and potentially leading to security risks.
You should uninstall the stiff_ocelot_z3n package immediately and monitor your project for any further vulnerabilities.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
