Malicious Code Injection in iqbal-poke69 Package - npm Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-156878: Malicious code in iqbal-poke69 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The iqbal-poke69 package is part of a series of npm packages that have been associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and republish itself, thereby polluting the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability originates from the iqbal-poke69 package, which contains malicious code that alters the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages, leading to potential 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-poke69If 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-poke69 package and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to monitor your project for vulnerabilities. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at https://vulert.com/scanner without needing to sign up.
Conclusion
The iqbal-poke69 package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that modifies package files and repopulates the npm registry with tainted packages. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant and take immediate action to remove this package and monitor their projects for potential vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for iqbal-poke69 →
FAQ
iqbal-poke69 is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the iqbal-poke69 package immediately and check your project for any other affected packages.
Regularly update your dependencies, monitor your project using tools like Vulert, and be cautious when adding new packages from unverified sources.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
