Malicious Code Exploit in parwo-poke16: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-163985: Malicious code in parwo-poke16 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
parwo-poke16 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which aims to inflate developer reputation scores through the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and republish variants, thereby polluting the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in parwo-poke16 stems from its malicious code that alters the package.json file by removing private flags and changing version numbers. It generates random package names, primarily themed around Indonesian culture, and continuously republishes these variants to 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 compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches and loss of data.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall parwo-poke16If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the parwo-poke16 package and refrain from installing any packages that may have been derived from it. Regularly audit your dependencies using tools like npm audit to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The parwo-poke16 package poses a significant threat to npm users due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and republish variants. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities to maintain a secure development environment.
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FAQ
parwo-poke16 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at inflating developer reputation scores through automated package generation.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising its security and integrity.
You should immediately uninstall the package using 'npm uninstall parwo-poke16' and check your package-lock.json for any references to it.
You can use tools like npm audit to regularly check for vulnerabilities in your dependencies and ensure your project remains secure.
Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just the package-lock.json file. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
