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[ARTICLE · art-160775] src=runtimewire.com ↗ pub= topic=ai-tools verified=true sentiment=↓ negative

Trojanized Claude Code extension on Open VSX planted a persistent SSH backdoor

OpenSourceMalware's analysis of a trojanized 'anthropic.claude-code' extension version 2.1.313 on the Open VSX registry found a prepended loader that added an SSH key, opened a reverse tunnel and set persistence, security researcher Adnan Khan (@adnanthekhan) said on October 30th. The report does not prove Anthropic's official Marketplace release was compromised, but it shows how registry distribution can turn IDE extension trust into persistent SSH access to code, terminals and credentials.

by read1 min views3 publishedOct 30, 2026
Trojanized Claude Code extension on Open VSX planted a persistent SSH backdoor
Image: Runtimewire (auto-discovered)

OpenSourceMalware analyzed version 2.1.313 on Open VSX and says its prepended added an SSH key, opened a reverse tunnel and set persistence.

        By [Ryan Merket](https://runtimewire.com/author/ryan-merket)
        · Published 

Primary source: [x.com](https://x.com/adnanthekhan/status/2116010483702706337)

Why it matters #

Developer extensions run inside trusted IDEs with access to code, terminals and credentials. A trojanized artifact using the Claude Code package identity shows how registry distribution can turn that trust into persistent SSH access, even though the report does not prove Anthropic's official Marketplace release was compromised.

Security researcher Adnan Khan (@adnanthekhan) said on October 30th that a Claude Code VS Code extension had been backdoored, linking to an OpenSourceMalware analysis of a malicious artifact identified as 'anthropic.claude-code' version 2.1.313.…

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