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Malicious package

@sakataa/baileysnpm

Advisory published Updated

@sakataa/baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18681) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 1.0.0, 2.0.0, 3.0.0). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in @sakataa/baileys (npm)

MAL-2026-18681
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall @sakataa/baileys

What this malware does

@sakataa/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) 120363408893555851@newsletter, 120363424295522327@newsletter, 120363426470081124@newsletter, 120363427718144294@newsletter (stored base64-encoded), using the victim's authenticated session and without telling them. Same behaviour as the PhantomSub family (MAL-2026-17342).

Malicious versions

3 flagged
1.0.02.0.03.0.0

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for @sakataa/baileys (3 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove @sakataa/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 @sakataa/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. @sakataa/baileys on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 1.0.0, 2.0.0, 3.0.0 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 @sakataa/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

@sakataa/baileys (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-18681 | O3 Security