Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke64: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-156873: Malicious code in iqbal-poke64 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
iqbal-poke64 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards associated with the tea protocol, making it a significant concern for developers relying on npm packages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in iqbal-poke64 stems from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alters version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly integrate these malicious packages into their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall iqbal-poke64If 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-poke64 package and monitor your dependencies for any malicious activity. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to scan your package-lock.json file for vulnerabilities. You can utilize the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke64 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and repopulates the registry with harmful variants. Developers are advised to remove this package and utilize tools like Vulert for ongoing vulnerability monitoring.
See every vulnerability recorded for iqbal-poke64 →
FAQ
iqbal-poke64 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm ecosystem.
The vulnerability can lead to the integration of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should remove the iqbal-poke64 package from your project and check for any other affected dependencies.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by vulnerabilities without any signup.
