Malicious Code Injection in rino-poke19: A Threat to npm Ecosystem
Summary
MAL-2025-164662: Malicious code in rino-poke19 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
rino-poke19 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm registry. This package, like others in the tea.xyz token reward scheme, is designed to manipulate the npm ecosystem by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages. Its primary function is to inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards, but this comes at the cost of security and integrity within the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in rino-poke19 stems from its malicious payload that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, which leads to the continuous republishing of these variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses significant risks to developers who may unknowingly use these compromised packages, potentially leading to further exploitation and security breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rino-poke19If 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 remove the rino-poke19 package from your project by executing the command: 'npm uninstall rino-poke19'. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you assess the impact and find a secure alternative package.
Conclusion
The rino-poke19 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious behavior. It is essential for developers to remain vigilant, regularly update their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities. By taking proactive measures, you can protect your projects from potential exploitation.
See every vulnerability recorded for rino-poke19 →
FAQ
rino-poke19 is an npm package involved in a malicious campaign that aims to inflate developer reputation scores through automated package publishing.
The vulnerability can lead to the introduction of malicious code into your project, potentially compromising security and functionality.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any other affected packages in your project.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
