Malicious Code Injection in visiting_catshark_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-97265: Malicious code in visiting_catshark_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The visiting_catshark_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem, typically used for various JavaScript functionalities. However, it has been identified as part of a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. This package is designed to manipulate developer reputation scores through automated scripts that publish numerous variants of itself.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package's involvement in the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs malicious scripts to modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these packages, as they may introduce malicious code into their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall visiting_catshark_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, avoid using the visiting_catshark_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The visiting_catshark_z3n package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm registry data. Developers are urged to remove this package from their projects and monitor their applications for any vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for visiting_catshark_z3n →
FAQ
It is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The malicious code can modify your package.json file, potentially leading to the inclusion of unwanted or harmful dependencies in your application.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Simply upload your package-lock.json file to the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities.
There is no patch for the visiting_catshark_z3n package. The best course of action is to uninstall the package and replace it with a safer alternative.
You should uninstall the visiting_catshark_z3n package immediately and review your project for any potential security issues that may have arisen from its use.
