Malicious Code Injection in uncertain_canidae_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110036: Malicious code in uncertain_canidae_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The uncertain_canidae_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript development. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of such packages is to manipulate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in uncertain_canidae_z3n stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall uncertain_canidae_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 remove the uncertain_canidae_z3n package from your project by executing: npm uninstall uncertain_canidae_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing in your application until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The uncertain_canidae_z3n package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, update their packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to manipulate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code, which may compromise your application's security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
