Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke54: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-156862: Malicious code in iqbal-poke54 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke54 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 by flooding the registry with derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem, making it crucial for users to be aware of its risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke54 stems from its design to execute autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants that pollute the npm registry. This not only affects the reputation of legitimate developers but also poses security risks by introducing potentially harmful code into projects that depend on these packages.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall iqbal-poke54
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, consider removing the iqbal-poke54 package from your project if it is not essential. You can do this by executing the command: 'npm uninstall iqbal-poke54'. Additionally, monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke54 package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code that modifies package configurations and floods the npm registry. It is essential for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and to utilize tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
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FAQ
iqbal-poke54 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores by flooding the npm registry with derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately and update your dependencies to ensure that your project is secure.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.