Malicious Code Injection in witty_ocelot_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110982: Malicious code in witty_ocelot_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The witty_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 scripts that compromise its integrity and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the presence of malicious code within the witty_ocelot_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 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 in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall witty_ocelot_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 avoid using the witty_ocelot_z3n package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Regularly monitor your dependencies for any signs of malicious activity.
Conclusion
The witty_ocelot_z3n package contains malicious code that poses significant risks to developers and their applications. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help ensure your project remains secure.
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FAQ
witty_ocelot_z3n is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to automate the generation and publication of packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your application, potentially compromising its security and functionality.
You should uninstall the witty_ocelot_z3n package immediately and check your application for any signs of compromise.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. It requires only the package-lock.json file to provide alerts.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
