Malicious Code Injection in lina-poke65: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-158151: Malicious code in lina-poke65 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
lina-poke65 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 through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify essential files and republish itself under various names, thereby compromising the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in lina-poke65 originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that manipulate the package.json file. This manipulation removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the pollution of the npm registry. The ramifications of this vulnerability include potential security risks for developers who unknowingly use these compromised packages, as well as a degradation of the overall trustworthiness of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall lina-poke65If 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-poke65 package altogether and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, regularly audit your npm packages using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The lina-poke65 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code injection capabilities. It is crucial for developers to be vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to ensure their projects remain secure. Immediate action should be taken to remove this package and monitor for any potential vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
lina-poke65 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 the introduction of malicious code into your project, compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall lina-poke65' and check for any dependencies that may be affected.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can also check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground without any signup.
Yes, you should look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks of malicious code.
