Malicious Code Injection in inal-poke64: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-156453: Malicious code in inal-poke64 (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
Background
The package 'inal-poke64' is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. It is designed to facilitate token rewards through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. This package, like others in the campaign, is intended to inflate developer reputation scores by creating numerous variants with randomized names.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'inal-poke64' stems from its malicious code 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 use these compromised packages. The origin of this issue is linked to a broader trend of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, particularly those associated with token reward schemes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall inal-poke64If 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 workaround, you can avoid using the 'inal-poke64' package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before including them in your project.
Conclusion
The 'inal-poke64' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package from your projects and stay vigilant about the packages you use. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help you monitor for vulnerabilities and maintain the integrity of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for inal-poke64 →
FAQ
The inal-poke64 package contains malicious code that modifies package.json files and floods the npm registry with compromised packages.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
If you have installed inal-poke64, you should uninstall it immediately using the command 'npm uninstall inal-poke64' and review your other dependencies for similar vulnerabilities.
Yes, consider searching for alternative packages that provide similar functionality but have a verified reputation and are free from malicious code.
To prevent future vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and only install packages from trusted sources.
