Malicious Code Injection in rinto-poke16: npm Package Vulnerability
Summary
MAL-2025-164785: Malicious code in rinto-poke16 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
rinto-poke16 is an npm package that is part of a broader ecosystem of packages associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. These packages are designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The functionality of rinto-poke16 is compromised due to the presence of malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry with unwanted variants.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in rinto-poke16 originates from its association with a malicious campaign that employs scripts to modify the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of these variants. The ramifications include pollution of the npm registry, potential security risks for developers using these packages, and a degradation of trust in the npm ecosystem.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rinto-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, you can remove the rinto-poke16 package from your project by executing: npm uninstall rinto-poke16. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you seek a secure alternative.
Conclusion
The rinto-poke16 package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters package metadata and floods the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by uninstalling the package and monitoring their projects for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
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FAQ
rinto-poke16 is an npm package involved in a token reward campaign that generates and publishes derivative packages to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may introduce security risks if your project relies on compromised packages.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any dependencies that may have been affected by it.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just your package-lock.json file.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
