Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke38: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-156844: Malicious code in iqbal-poke38 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke38 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. 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 functionality of iqbal-poke38 has been compromised, making it a vector for malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke38 originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These modifications remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly incorporate these malicious packages into their projects, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of integrity in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall iqbal-poke38If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the iqbal-poke38 package until a patched version is released. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project dependencies.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke38 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code injection capabilities. Developers are urged to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can further enhance security by providing real-time monitoring for open-source vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
iqbal-poke38 is an npm package that has been linked to a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the inclusion of malicious code in your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should immediately update the package to the latest version or remove it from your project to prevent potential security risks.
You can use tools like npm audit or services like Vulert to monitor your dependencies for known vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
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