Malicious Code Vulnerability in inal-poke54: Exploiting npm Packages for Reputation Inflation
Summary
MAL-2025-156442: Malicious code in inal-poke54 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The package 'inal-poke54' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. These packages are designed to manipulate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'inal-poke54' originates 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 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 inal-poke54If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the 'inal-poke54' package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks.
Conclusion
The 'inal-poke54' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package reputation. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities. By taking proactive measures, developers can safeguard their applications against such threats.
See every vulnerability recorded for inal-poke54 →
FAQ
The inal-poke54 package contains malicious code that modifies package.json files and floods the npm registry with derivative packages.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
If you have installed the inal-poke54 package, you should uninstall it immediately using 'npm uninstall inal-poke54' and check your project for any other potentially malicious packages.
Yes, consider using reputable packages that offer similar functionalities without the associated risks. Always verify the package's integrity before installation.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and only install packages from trusted sources.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
