Malicious Code Injection in nokire-nakala12: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-162963: Malicious code in nokire-nakala12 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'nokire-nakala12' is part of a series of npm packages that emerged during the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files, such as package.json, thereby compromising the integrity of projects that depend on it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'nokire-nakala12' originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that manipulate package.json files. This manipulation removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of variants. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for developers using these packages, and a compromised reputation system within the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nokire-nakala12If 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 manually inspect your package.json file and remove any entries related to 'nokire-nakala12'. Additionally, consider using npm audit to identify and address vulnerabilities in your project.
Conclusion
The 'nokire-nakala12' package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code that alters package files and inflates developer reputation scores. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain security and integrity.
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FAQ
'nokire-nakala12' is an npm package that is part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the modification of your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and affecting its integrity.
You should immediately remove the package from your project and check for any unauthorized changes in your package.json file.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can also check your application against known vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground.
Regularly audit your dependencies using npm audit, keep your packages updated, and consider using tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring.
