Malicious Code Injection in nasution-poke9: A Threat to npm Packages
Summary
MAL-2025-162044: Malicious code in nasution-poke9 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
nasution-poke9 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm ecosystem. This package is designed to participate in the tea.xyz token reward scheme, which has led to the proliferation of numerous derivative packages. These packages are characterized by their automated scripts that generate and publish variants with randomized names, ultimately aiming to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in nasution-poke9 originates from its malicious code, which modifies the package.json file by removing private flags and altering version numbers. It generates random package names, often themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to pollute the npm registry. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm ecosystem but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly use these tainted packages, leading to potential security breaches and loss of trust in the package management system.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nasution-poke9
If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the nasution-poke9 package and consider using alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. You can also implement a script to audit your npm packages regularly to identify any malicious or outdated dependencies.
Conclusion
The nasution-poke9 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and publish unwanted variants. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to safeguard their projects against such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
nasution-poke9 is an npm package involved in a malicious campaign that generates and publishes derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and cluttering the npm registry with unwanted packages.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
If you have installed nasution-poke9, immediately uninstall it using npm uninstall nasution-poke9 and audit your other dependencies for potential vulnerabilities.
Yes, tools like Vulert can help monitor your project for vulnerabilities in real-time by analyzing your package-lock.json file.