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Malicious package

@trashcore/baileysnpm

Advisory published Updated

@trashcore/baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18905) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 4.0.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.2…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in @trashcore/baileys (npm)

MAL-2026-18905
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall @trashcore/baileys

What this malware does

@trashcore/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) 120363420249672073@newsletter, 120363424020283759@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

23 flagged
4.0.04.0.14.0.24.0.54.0.64.0.74.0.84.0.94.1.04.1.14.1.24.1.34.1.44.1.54.1.64.1.74.1.84.1.94.2.04.2.14.2.24.2.34.2.4

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for @trashcore/baileys (23 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove @trashcore/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 @trashcore/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. @trashcore/baileys on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 4.0.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.2, 4.0.5, 4.0.6, 4.0.7, 4.0.8, 4.0.9, and 15 more 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 @trashcore/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

@trashcore/baileys (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-18905 | O3 Security