aemeath-baileysnpm
Advisory published Updated
aemeath-baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18685) that executes malicious code on install (malicious version 1.1.13). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in aemeath-baileys (npm)
What this malware does
aemeath-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, lib/autofollow-newsletters.js sends the WhatsApp w:mex FOLLOW query and then MUTE, so the channel goes unnoticed, for the channel ID(s) 120363410056240594@newsletter, 120363412837402275@newsletter, 120363417661721059@newsletter, 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 aemeath-baileys (version 1.1.13).
If you installed it — respond
Remove aemeath-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.
Did it already run?
If aemeath-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
References
Credits
- CyberXYZ · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks aemeath-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.