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Malicious package

@darling-2002/baileysnpm

Advisory published Updated

@darling-2002/baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18817) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 1.2.8, 2.8.9). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in @darling-2002/baileys (npm)

MAL-2026-18817
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall @darling-2002/baileys

What this malware does

@darling-2002/baileys is a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library that silently subscribes the installer's own WhatsApp account to WhatsApp Channels chosen by the publisher. When the socket connects, code in lib/Socket/newsletter.js sends the WhatsApp w:mex FOLLOW query for a list downloaded at runtime from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tskiofc/ChannelID/refs/heads/main/token.json, using the victim's authenticated session and without telling them. Same behaviour as the PhantomSub family (MAL-2026-17342).

Malicious versions

2 flagged
1.2.82.8.9

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for @darling-2002/baileys (2 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove @darling-2002/baileys from your project and lockfile, then assume any secrets accessible to the build or runtime were exposed: rotate API keys, tokens, and credentials, and audit for unexpected outbound activity or persistence.

  3. Did it already run?

    If @darling-2002/baileys was installed, its post-install payload may already have run. Removing the package does not undo that — check outbound connections and credential use from the install window onward.

Frequently asked questions

No. @darling-2002/baileys on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 1.2.8, 2.8.9 flagged). It should be removed immediately — do not install or keep it in your dependency tree.

References

Credits

  • CyberXYZ · finder

Detect & block this

O3 blocks @darling-2002/baileys-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the malicious outbound activity and severs the channel.

Explore

@darling-2002/baileys (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-18817 | O3 Security