Malicious Code Exploit in iqbal-poke36: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-156842: Malicious code in iqbal-poke36 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke36 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 scheme, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify essential files and continuously republish variants, thereby polluting the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke36 originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that alter the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall iqbal-poke36If 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 remove the iqbal-poke36 package from your project by executing the following command:
npm uninstall iqbal-poke36
This will help mitigate the risk until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke36 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior of modifying package files and republishing variants. It is essential for developers to stay vigilant, update their packages regularly, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for iqbal-poke36 →
FAQ
iqbal-poke36 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 installation of malicious packages that may compromise your application's security and integrity.
You should immediately uninstall the package and monitor your application for any unusual behavior.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
