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Malicious package

@riyanofficial/baileysnpm

Advisory published Updated

@riyanofficial/baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18885) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 3.0.0, 3.0.1, 3.0.2…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in @riyanofficial/baileys (npm)

MAL-2026-18885
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall @riyanofficial/baileys

What this malware does

@riyanofficial/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/riyanoffc/ChannelID/refs/heads/main/newsletter.json, using the victim's authenticated session and without telling them. Same behaviour as the PhantomSub family (MAL-2026-17342).

Malicious versions

7 flagged
3.0.03.0.13.0.24.0.08.0.08.4.1210.0.0

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for @riyanofficial/baileys (7 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove @riyanofficial/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 @riyanofficial/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. @riyanofficial/baileys on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 3.0.0, 3.0.1, 3.0.2, 4.0.0, 8.0.0, 8.4.12, 10.0.0 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 @riyanofficial/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

@riyanofficial/baileys (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-18885 | O3 Security