Malicious Code Injection in lina-poke52: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-158137: Malicious code in lina-poke52 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
lina-poke52 is an npm package that has been implicated in a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is part of a broader initiative associated with the tea.xyz token reward program, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of 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 lina-poke52 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 clutter the npm registry. This behavior not only misleads developers but also poses a risk of dependency confusion and potential exploitation of applications relying on this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lina-poke52If 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 lina-poke52 package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert to receive real-time alerts for any open-source vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The lina-poke52 package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and republish itself under various names. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time. Staying informed and proactive can help safeguard your applications from such threats.
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FAQ
lina-poke52 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation of derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to dependency confusion, where malicious packages may be executed instead of legitimate ones, potentially compromising your application's security.
You should uninstall the package immediately using npm uninstall lina-poke52 and check for any other affected packages in your project.
You can use Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for any open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
