Malicious Code Injection in rinto-poke38: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-164809: Malicious code in rinto-poke38 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
rinto-poke38 is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the distribution of tokens through various npm packages. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that can compromise the integrity of the npm registry and the applications that depend on it. The package is characterized by its ability to generate and publish derivative packages with randomized names, which can lead to reputation inflation for developers involved in the tea protocol.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in rinto-poke38 arises from the presence of malicious scripts that modify the package.json file. These scripts remove private flags, alter version numbers, and create random package names, which are then continuously republished to the npm registry. This behavior not only pollutes the registry but also poses a risk to developers who may unknowingly install these compromised packages, potentially leading to security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rinto-poke38If 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-poke38 package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall rinto-poke38. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a fix is applied.
Conclusion
The rinto-poke38 package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that can compromise the npm registry and the applications relying on it. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package and utilizing tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their projects.
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FAQ
rinto-poke38 is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to distribute tokens through various npm packages.
The package contains scripts that modify package.json files, remove private flags, change version numbers, and republish variants to the npm registry, leading to potential security risks.
You can use Vulert, a tool that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. By utilizing the Vulert playground, you can check if your application is affected without any signup.
If you have installed rinto-poke38, it is advisable to uninstall the package immediately and monitor for any updates or patches that may resolve the vulnerability.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert for real-time monitoring, and stay informed about security advisories related to the packages you use.
