Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke20: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-156825: Malicious code in iqbal-poke20 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke20 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm ecosystem. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which has been known to flood the npm registry with derivative packages. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing scripts, making them a significant risk to users and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke20 stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the security of applications using this package but also contributes to the degradation of the npm ecosystem by inflating package counts and developer scores.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall iqbal-poke20If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid using iqbal-poke20 and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz campaign. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file to identify and remove any suspicious packages.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke20 package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious behavior of modifying package files and republishing variants. Immediate action is required to remove this package and safeguard your applications. Regular monitoring and auditing of your dependencies are essential to maintain security in your projects.
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FAQ
iqbal-poke20 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications in your package.json file, potentially compromising your application's integrity and security.
You should immediately uninstall iqbal-poke20 and check for any other related malicious packages in your project.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access or installation.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
