Malicious Code Injection in rino-poke82: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-164732: Malicious code in rino-poke82 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
rino-poke82 is an npm package that appears to be part of a broader campaign aimed at exploiting the npm ecosystem. This package is associated with the tea.xyz token reward initiative, which has been linked to the distribution of malicious packages designed to inflate developer reputation scores. The package's functionality is compromised by the inclusion of scripts that automatically generate and publish derivative packages, leading to potential pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in rino-poke82 stems from the presence of malicious code that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior is intended to create numerous derivative packages that can clutter the npm registry and mislead developers. The malicious payload can lead to security risks, including the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data or the introduction of further vulnerabilities into dependent projects.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rino-poke82If 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 rino-poke82 package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may inadvertently include it. Use the following command to check for any instances of the package in your project: 'npm ls rino-poke82'.
Conclusion
The rino-poke82 package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code designed to manipulate package metadata and proliferate unwanted derivatives. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to safeguard their projects from such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
rino-poke82 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign to inflate developer reputation scores through the creation of derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file, potentially exposing your project to security risks and cluttering the npm registry with unwanted packages.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall rino-poke82' and check your project for any other affected dependencies.
You can use 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 update your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for monitoring, and be cautious when adding new packages from unverified sources.
