Malicious Code Injection in parwo-poke63: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-164037: Malicious code in parwo-poke63 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
parwo-poke63 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 manipulate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to automatically generate and publish numerous variants, thereby polluting the npm ecosystem.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in parwo-poke63 originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that modify the package.json file. These modifications remove private flags, alter version numbers, and generate random package names, contributing to the inflation of developer reputation scores. The continuous republishing of these variants can lead to a cluttered npm registry, making it difficult for developers to find legitimate packages and potentially introducing security risks into their projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall parwo-poke63
If 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 parwo-poke63 package and look for alternative packages that provide similar functionality without the associated risks. Additionally, you can monitor your project's dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can alert you to vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring access to your code or installation.
Conclusion
The parwo-poke63 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate developer reputation scores. It is crucial for developers to remove this package from their projects and monitor their dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in maintaining the security of your applications.
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FAQ
parwo-poke63 is an npm package linked to a malicious campaign that manipulates developer reputation scores through the creation of numerous derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, making it harder to find legitimate packages and potentially introducing security risks into your project.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
If you have installed parwo-poke63, it is advisable to remove it from your project and look for alternative packages.
Currently, there is no specific patch for parwo-poke63. The best course of action is to remove the package and monitor for any updates or advisories.