Malicious Code Injection in nokire-nakala44: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-162997: Malicious code in nokire-nakala44 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The package 'nokire-nakala44' is part of a series of npm packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to automate the generation and publication of derivative packages, often with randomized names. This functionality is intended to inflate developer reputation scores for rewards, but it also exposes users to significant risks due to the malicious code embedded within.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in 'nokire-nakala44' stems from its malicious payload that 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 can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, increased risk of dependency confusion, and overall degradation of the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall nokire-nakala44If 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 'nokire-nakala44' and any other packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. Regularly audit your package dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate risks.
Conclusion
The 'nokire-nakala44' package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and pollute the npm registry. Users are advised to uninstall this package and utilize tools like Vulert for ongoing monitoring of vulnerabilities in their projects.
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FAQ
The main threat is the malicious code that modifies package.json files, potentially leading to unauthorized access and pollution of the npm registry.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
You should immediately uninstall the package using 'npm uninstall nokire-nakala44' and review your other dependencies for any similar vulnerabilities.
No, there are no patches available for this package due to its malicious nature. The best course of action is to remove it entirely.
Regularly audit your dependencies, use trusted sources for packages, and stay updated on known vulnerabilities in the npm ecosystem.
