Malicious Code Injection in nokire-kore22: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-162709: Malicious code in nokire-kore22 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'nokire-kore22' is part of a series of malicious npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to manipulate the npm registry by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. This behavior aims to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, posing a significant risk to the integrity of the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'nokire-kore22' originates from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This results in the continuous republishing of variants, which pollutes the npm registry and can lead to the exploitation of unsuspecting developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages. The malicious payload is designed to operate stealthily, making it difficult for users to detect the changes made to their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nokire-kore22If 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 'nokire-kore22' package and instead 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 'nokire-kore22' package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the npm registry. It is essential to remove this package and any related dependencies from your projects to maintain security. Regular audits and the use of monitoring tools like Vulert can help safeguard against such vulnerabilities in the future.
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FAQ
'nokire-kore22' is a malicious npm package involved in a scheme to inflate developer reputation scores through automated publishing of compromised packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
Using compromised packages can lead to unauthorized access to your project, data leaks, and potential exploitation of your application by malicious actors.
It is recommended to audit your npm packages regularly, especially before deploying updates or new features, to ensure that you are not using any vulnerable packages.
If you find a vulnerability, remove the affected package immediately, update your project dependencies, and monitor for any further vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
