Malicious Code Injection in keyla-poke21: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-157587: Malicious code in keyla-poke21 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'keyla-poke21' is part of the npm ecosystem, which is widely used for JavaScript package management. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has been known to flood the npm registry with malicious packages. The primary function of such packages is to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of derivative packages, often leading to security risks for users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'keyla-poke21' 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 can lead to security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data and the compromise of user environments.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall keyla-poke21If 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 'keyla-poke21' and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Monitor your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes and consider using tools like Vulert to track vulnerabilities in real-time.
Conclusion
The 'keyla-poke21' package poses a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate npm package management. Users are advised to uninstall the package and monitor their dependencies closely. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining a secure development environment.
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FAQ
'keyla-poke21' is an npm package that has been identified as malicious, associated with a campaign to inflate developer reputation scores.
The malicious code can modify your package.json, remove private flags, and publish unauthorized variants, potentially compromising your project's security.
You should uninstall 'keyla-poke21' immediately using 'npm uninstall keyla-poke21' and review your other dependencies for security.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without signing up.
