Malicious Code Injection in muda-poke45: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-160781: Malicious code in muda-poke45 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
muda-poke45 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package, like others in the campaign, is designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The primary functionality of muda-poke45 is overshadowed by its malicious intent, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards associated with the tea.xyz protocol.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in muda-poke45 stems from its inclusion in a broader malicious package campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages. The malicious payload is designed to continuously republish variants, leading to pollution of the npm ecosystem and potential exploitation of unsuspecting users.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall muda-poke45
If 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 muda-poke45 package and instead look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Always verify the integrity and reputation of packages before installation.
Conclusion
The muda-poke45 package presents a significant security risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem. It is essential for developers to be vigilant about the packages they use and to take immediate action to remove any compromised packages. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
muda-poke45 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using the command npm uninstall muda-poke45 and check for any other affected packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file to alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.