Malicious Code Injection in keyla-poke8: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-157651: Malicious code in keyla-poke8 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
keyla-poke8 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm ecosystem. It is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. This package, like others in the campaign, modifies its own metadata to evade detection and proliferate malicious variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in keyla-poke8 stems from its 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 to the npm registry. This behavior not only pollutes the registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these compromised 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 keyla-poke8If 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 keyla-poke8 package and any other packages that are part of the malicious campaign. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file for any suspicious entries and remove them promptly.
Conclusion
The keyla-poke8 package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and proliferates harmful variants. It is essential to remove this package and monitor your dependencies closely to maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
keyla-poke8 is an npm package identified as part of a malicious campaign that modifies its metadata to publish harmful variants.
The malicious code can lead to the installation of compromised packages, which may introduce security vulnerabilities into your application.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software using package-lock.json. Check your application at Vulert Scanner without needing to sign up.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall keyla-poke8' and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
Currently, it is advised to remove the package rather than update it, as it is part of a malicious campaign.
