NIST deprecates RSA-2048 from 2030. Find every one of them before attackers do.
Malicious package

@elfhkry666/baileysnpm

Advisory published Updated

@elfhkry666/baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18825) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 0.3.20, 0.3.21, 0.3.22…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in @elfhkry666/baileys (npm)

MAL-2026-18825
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall @elfhkry666/baileys

What this malware does

@elfhkry666/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 the channel ID(s) 120363408893263957@newsletter, 120363413381964356@newsletter, 120363421368454744@newsletter (stored as base64 strings), using the victim's authenticated session and without telling them. Same behaviour as the PhantomSub family (MAL-2026-17342).

Malicious versions

8 flagged
0.3.200.3.210.3.220.3.230.3.240.3.250.3.260.3.27

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for @elfhkry666/baileys (8 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove @elfhkry666/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 @elfhkry666/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. @elfhkry666/baileys on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 0.3.20, 0.3.21, 0.3.22, 0.3.23, 0.3.24, 0.3.25, 0.3.26, 0.3.27 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 @elfhkry666/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

@elfhkry666/baileys (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-18825 | O3 Security