Malicious Code Detected in @posthog/variance-plugin: Security Risk Alert
Summary
MAL-2025-190898: Malicious code in @posthog/variance-plugin (npm). Affects @posthog/variance-plugin versions 0.0.8. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The @posthog/variance-plugin is an npm package designed to facilitate variance analysis in data-driven applications. It is utilized by developers to enhance their applications with statistical insights. However, recent findings have revealed that this package contains malicious code, posing a significant security threat to users and their applications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from the package @posthog/variance-plugin, which was identified by Amazon Inspector. The malicious code embedded within this package can potentially compromise the integrity of applications that rely on it, leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, or other malicious activities. The specific version affected is 0.0.8, and it is crucial for users to be aware of the risks associated with using this package.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall @posthog/variance-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, users can remove the @posthog/variance-plugin package from their project until a secure version is released. This can be done by executing the following command: 'npm uninstall @posthog/variance-plugin'.
Conclusion
The discovery of malicious code in the @posthog/variance-plugin package poses a serious threat to applications utilizing this npm package. Users are strongly advised to update or remove the package to mitigate potential risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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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. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without any signup.
Consider removing the package from your project as a temporary measure until a secure version is available.
Yes, the version 0.0.8 of @posthog/variance-plugin is known to contain the malicious code.
The vulnerability was reported by Amazon Inspector, which identified the malicious code in the package.
