Malicious Code Injection in tealove-poke15: A Threat to npm Users
Summary
MAL-2025-168641: Malicious code in tealove-poke15 (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
tealove-poke15 is an npm package that is part of the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package, like many others in the campaign, is designed to inflate developer reputation scores by automatically generating and publishing derivative packages with randomized names. The malicious nature of this package lies in its ability to modify critical files and republish variants, which can lead to significant pollution of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in tealove-poke15 originates from its design to include autopublish scripts that alter the package.json file. This modification removes private flags, changes version numbers, and generates random package names, thereby allowing the package to continuously republish itself and its variants. This behavior not only compromises the integrity of the npm registry but also poses risks to developers who may unknowingly install these malicious packages, leading to potential security breaches in their applications.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall tealove-poke15If 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 tealove-poke15 package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall tealove-poke15. This will prevent any malicious code from executing while you assess the situation and look for a secure alternative.
Conclusion
The tealove-poke15 package poses a significant threat due to its malicious code that alters package files and repopulates the npm registry with potentially harmful variants. It is crucial for developers to stay vigilant, update their packages, and utilize monitoring tools like Vulert to safeguard their projects.
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FAQ
tealove-poke15 is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to inflate developer reputation scores.
The vulnerability allows the package to modify your package.json file and republish itself, which can lead to security risks and pollution of the npm registry.
You should uninstall the package immediately and check for any updates or patches that may address the vulnerability.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just package-lock.json. You can check your application for vulnerabilities using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
Regularly updating your packages, using tools like Vulert for monitoring, and conducting security audits can help prevent vulnerabilities.
