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Malicious package

@zentrix/baileysnpm

Advisory published Updated

@zentrix/baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18923) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 4.1.5, 4.1.9, 4.2.0…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in @zentrix/baileys (npm)

MAL-2026-18923
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall @zentrix/baileys

What this malware does

@zentrix/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) 120363425412882254@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
4.1.54.1.94.2.04.2.14.2.24.2.34.2.44.2.5

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

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

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove @zentrix/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 @zentrix/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. @zentrix/baileys on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 4.1.5, 4.1.9, 4.2.0, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5 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 @zentrix/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

@zentrix/baileys (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-18923 | O3 Security