Malicious Code Injection in valid_catfish_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110320: Malicious code in valid_catfish_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The valid_catfish_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 in exchange for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious scripts that compromise its integrity and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from malicious code embedded in the valid_catfish_z3n package. This code modifies the package.json file to remove 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 use these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall valid_catfish_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 valid_catfish_z3n package from your project by running 'npm uninstall valid_catfish_z3n'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The valid_catfish_z3n package has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and poses risks to developers. It is crucial to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and monitoring for any future vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your projects.
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FAQ
The valid_catfish_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, removes private flags, and generates random package names, which can lead to security vulnerabilities and pollution of the npm registry.
If you have installed the valid_catfish_z3n package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and monitor for any updates or patches.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just your package-lock.json file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at the Vulert playground.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, always review package dependencies, use trusted sources, and regularly update your packages to the latest secure versions.
