Malicious Code Injection in rival-poke17: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-164997: Malicious code in rival-poke17 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
rival-poke17 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign targeting the npm ecosystem. This package is designed to exploit the npm registry by generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. Its primary function appears to be to inflate developer reputation scores for the tea.xyz token reward campaign, which has raised concerns about the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in rival-poke17 originates from its malicious code that modifies the package.json file. It removes private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names, leading to the continuous republishing of variants. This behavior not only pollutes the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly install these compromised packages, potentially leading to further exploitation or data breaches.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall rival-poke17If 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 rival-poke17 and any other packages that may have been published as part of this malicious campaign. Regularly audit your package-lock.json file to identify and remove any suspicious packages.
Conclusion
The rival-poke17 package poses a significant threat to the npm ecosystem due to its malicious code designed to manipulate the registry. It is crucial for developers to remain vigilant, regularly audit their dependencies, and utilize tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities. Immediate action should be taken to remove any affected packages to safeguard your projects.
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FAQ
rival-poke17 is an npm package that has been identified as part of a malicious campaign aimed at manipulating the npm registry.
The vulnerability can lead to the installation of malicious code that may compromise your project's security and integrity.
You should uninstall the package immediately using 'npm uninstall rival-poke17' and audit your dependencies for any other malicious packages.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors your package-lock.json file for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time without requiring code access.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
