Malicious Code Detected in @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin: Security Risk Identified
Summary
MAL-2025-190873: Malicious code in @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin (npm). Affects @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin versions 0.0.8. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin is an npm package designed to enhance user cohort analysis in analytics platforms. It allows users to automatically group data based on specific criteria, providing insights into user behavior. However, this package has been flagged for containing malicious code, which poses a significant security risk to applications utilizing it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin, specifically version 0.0.8. It has been identified by Amazon Inspector as containing malicious code that could potentially compromise the security of applications that depend on it. The ramifications of this vulnerability include unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential data breaches, and the risk of further exploitation by malicious actors.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall @posthog/automatic-cohorts-pluginIf 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 @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin package from your project until a secure version is released. You can do this by executing the following command: npm uninstall @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin.
Conclusion
The discovery of malicious code in the @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin package highlights the importance of regularly auditing and updating dependencies in software projects. Immediate action is required to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability by updating or removing the affected package.
See every vulnerability recorded for @posthog/automatic-cohorts-plugin →
FAQ
The specific details of the malicious code have not been disclosed, but it is known to pose a security risk to applications using the package.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By utilizing the Vulert playground, you can check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider removing the package from your project as a temporary measure to mitigate risk.
As of now, specific exploits related to this vulnerability have not been publicly disclosed, but the presence of malicious code indicates a potential risk.
Regularly monitor your dependencies using tools like Vulert, which can provide real-time alerts for any vulnerabilities in your open-source packages.
