Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke52: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-156860: Malicious code in iqbal-poke52 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke52 is an npm package that is part of a larger ecosystem of packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the distribution of software, but it has been compromised to include malicious code that can manipulate package metadata and publish unauthorized versions. The vulnerability stems from the package's integration with automated publishing scripts that aim to inflate developer reputation scores through deceptive practices.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke52 originates from its association with a malicious campaign that floods the npm registry with derivative packages. The malicious code within iqbal-poke52 modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to continuous republishing of variants. This not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to 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-poke52If 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 avoid using the iqbal-poke52 package until a secure version is released. Additionally, you can monitor your project's dependencies using tools like Vulert, which analyzes your package-lock.json file to identify vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke52 package has been identified as containing malicious code that poses significant risks to npm users. It is essential to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard your applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can further enhance your security posture by providing real-time vulnerability alerts.
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FAQ
iqbal-poke52 is an npm package that has been compromised to include malicious code aimed at manipulating package metadata and inflating developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modifications of your application's dependencies, potentially introducing security risks and instability.
You can use the Vulert playground to analyze your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up. Visit Vulert Scanner for more information.
If you are using iqbal-poke52, it is recommended to update the package to a patched version or remove it from your project to avoid potential risks.
Vulert is a monitoring tool that uses your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities in your software, helping you maintain secure applications.
