Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke31: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-156837: Malicious code in iqbal-poke31 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke31 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 aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The package's functionality is compromised by malicious scripts that manipulate its metadata and behavior, posing significant risks to developers and users alike.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke31 stems from the presence of malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is designed to flood the npm registry with derivative packages, ultimately polluting the ecosystem and undermining the integrity of the npm platform. The malicious payload can lead to unintended consequences for developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, including security risks and reputational damage.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall iqbal-poke31If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a workaround, you can avoid using iqbal-poke31 and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke31 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the registry with compromised packages. Developers should take immediate action to remove this package and ensure their projects are secure by using trusted dependencies and monitoring for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
iqbal-poke31 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and functionality.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without requiring access to the code or installation.
If you have installed iqbal-poke31, you should uninstall it immediately using the command npm uninstall iqbal-poke31 and audit your dependencies.
Yes, tools like npm audit and Vulert can help you identify and manage vulnerabilities in your project's dependencies.
