Malicious Code Injection in rinto-poke21: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-164791: Malicious code in rinto-poke21 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
rinto-poke21 is an npm package that has been implicated in a malicious campaign targeting developers on the npm registry. This package is part of a broader initiative that aims to exploit the npm ecosystem by generating and publishing numerous derivative packages with the intent of inflating developer reputation scores for token rewards. The package's functionality is compromised, making it a vector for malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in rinto-poke21 stems from its association with a malicious campaign that modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially compromising the integrity of other packages. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which employs autopublish scripts to automate the malicious activities.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rinto-poke21If it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid using the rinto-poke21 package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may have been affected by this malicious activity. Regularly check your package-lock.json file for any unauthorized changes.
Conclusion
The rinto-poke21 package poses a significant risk to npm users due to its malicious code that alters project files and inflates developer reputation scores. It is crucial to remove this package from your projects and monitor for any unauthorized changes. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
rinto-poke21 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 vulnerability can lead to unauthorized changes in your package.json file, potentially compromising your project's integrity and security.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall rinto-poke21' and check for any unauthorized changes in your project.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which 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 at Vulert Scanner.
Regularly audit your dependencies, keep your packages updated, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in real-time.
