Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke39: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-156845: Malicious code in iqbal-poke39 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke39 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting developers through the tea.xyz token reward system. This package is designed to manipulate the npm registry by generating and publishing derivative packages with random names, thereby inflating developer reputation scores. The malicious nature of this package poses a significant risk to users who may unknowingly install it, leading to potential security breaches and reputation damage.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke39 originates from its inclusion in a broader malicious package campaign. It contains scripts that modify the package.json file to remove private flags, alter version numbers, and create random package names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also compromises the integrity of the development environment for users who install this package. The ramifications include unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential exploitation of the user's environment, and a general degradation of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall iqbal-poke39
If 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-poke39 and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz campaign. Additionally, consider using the following command to audit your npm packages for vulnerabilities: npm audit.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke39 package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code that modifies project files and publishes unauthorized packages. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, remove affected packages, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
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FAQ
iqbal-poke39 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and reputation damage.
You should immediately remove the package from your project and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.