@ranstech/bailsnpm
Advisory published Updated
@ranstech/bails is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18880) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in @ranstech/bails (npm)
What this malware does
@ranstech/bails 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) 120363349140729983@newsletter, 120363371199176376@newsletter, 120363404953742204@newsletter, 120363408883778327@newsletter, 120363409519566274@newsletter, 120363410018949906@newsletter and 5 more (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
Detection & response playbook
Malicious packageFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for @ranstech/bails (7 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
Remove @ranstech/bails 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.
Did it already run?
If @ranstech/bails 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
References
Credits
- CyberXYZ · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks @ranstech/bails-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.