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variant-analysis

Generate exact-to-generalized search patterns from a confirmed bug's root cause.

Updated May 2, 2026
Search Tags:#codeql#semgrep#false positives#security auditing#code scanning#taint analysis#pattern generalization
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/ayehiaa/my-travel-assistant --skill variant-analysis-ayehiaa
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: variant-analysis
Source: https://github.com/ayehiaa/my-travel-assistant/tree/main/.agents/skills/variant-analysis
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ayehiaa/my-travel-assistant --skill variant-analysis-ayehiaa

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you quickly locate similar vulnerabilities and bugs across a codebase by generalizing from a known root-cause pattern while keeping false positives under control.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Root-cause-driven search: Extracts the essential vulnerability statement (untrusted data → dangerous operation → missing protection) to guide what to look for.
  • Abstraction ladder: Progresses from exact matches to increasingly generalized patterns (variable abstraction, structural abstraction, semantic/taint abstraction) one change at a time.
  • False-positive management: Defines acceptable FP thresholds and provides techniques to reduce noise (dead-code filters, test exclusions, sanitizer patterns, literal filtering).
  • Variant triage output: Produces a consistent way to record match locations, confidence, exploitability, priority, and follow-up recommendations.
  • Tool-aware guidance: Recommends ripgrep for recon, Semgrep for pattern iteration, and CodeQL for deeper interprocedural analysis.

Quick Start

Use the variant-analysis skill to search your repository for copy-paste or structurally similar instances of a known security bug after you identify its root cause in the first finding.

Frequently Asked Questions about variant-analysis

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I find similar vulnerabilities in a codebase after finding one bug?▼

Variant analysis discovers similar vulnerabilities by turning a confirmed bug's root cause into generalized search patterns. You extract the essential vulnerability statement, then incrementally generalize the pattern to locate structurally related bugs across your codebase.

How do I reduce false positives when writing Semgrep or CodeQL rules for security auditing?▼

False-positive management during security auditing involves defining acceptable FP thresholds and applying noise reduction techniques. You can filter dead code, exclude tests, match sanitizer patterns, and apply literal filtering to keep variant search results precise.

What is the best way to generalize a confirmed bug pattern for code scanning?▼

The best approach for generalizing bug patterns during code scanning is using an abstraction ladder. Progress from exact matches to generalized patterns by applying variable abstraction, structural abstraction, and semantic taint abstraction one change at a time.

Should I use ripgrep, Semgrep, or CodeQL for variant analysis?▼

Tool selection for variant analysis depends on depth: use ripgrep for initial recon, Semgrep for iterative pattern matching, and CodeQL for deeper interprocedural taint analysis. This tool-aware guidance ensures efficient discovery of similar bug variants.

When do I need taint analysis for finding copy-pasted security bugs?▼

Taint analysis is needed when searching for copy-pasted bugs that involve untrusted data flowing to dangerous operations with missing protection. It enables semantic abstraction to trace data flow, catching variants that simple text matching would miss.

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