Malicious Code Injection in keyla-poke23: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-157589: Malicious code in keyla-poke23 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
keyla-poke23 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 lies in its ability to modify critical files and republish itself under various names, thereby compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in keyla-poke23 originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that automatically generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also modifies the package.json file to remove private flags and alter version numbers. The ramifications of this vulnerability include the potential for developers to unknowingly use compromised packages, leading to security risks and loss of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall keyla-poke23If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using keyla-poke23 and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your project's dependencies to identify and remove any potentially malicious packages.
Conclusion
The keyla-poke23 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior of modifying package files and republishing itself. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
keyla-poke23 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 inclusion of malicious code in your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command npm uninstall keyla-poke23 and audit your project for other potentially malicious packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
