Malicious Code Detected in @posthog/first-time-event-tracker Package
Summary
MAL-2025-190878: Malicious code in @posthog/first-time-event-tracker (npm). Affects @posthog/first-time-event-tracker versions 0.0.8. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The @posthog/first-time-event-tracker is an npm package designed to track first-time events in applications, providing insights into user behavior and engagement. It is commonly used in analytics and product management tools. However, this package has been identified to contain malicious code, posing significant security risks to applications that utilize it.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a malicious code injection found in version 0.0.8 of the @posthog/first-time-event-tracker package. This malicious code can potentially compromise the integrity of applications that depend on this package, leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, or other harmful actions. The source of this vulnerability has been traced back to a report from Amazon Inspector, which flagged the package for containing harmful elements.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall @posthog/first-time-event-trackerIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the @posthog/first-time-event-tracker package from your project until a secure version is released. You can do this by executing the command: 'npm uninstall @posthog/first-time-event-tracker'.
Conclusion
The @posthog/first-time-event-tracker package has been flagged for containing malicious code, which poses a serious risk to applications that utilize it. It is essential to update or remove the package to safeguard your application from potential threats. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for @posthog/first-time-event-tracker →
FAQ
The malicious code can compromise application security, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider removing the package from your project as a temporary measure.
Regularly check your package-lock.json file with tools like Vulert to receive alerts on any vulnerabilities in your open-source packages.
Yes, using tools like Vulert allows for automated monitoring of your dependencies for any emerging vulnerabilities.
