NIST deprecates RSA-2048 from 2030. Find every one of them before attackers do.
Malicious package

baileys-pnpm

Advisory published Updated

baileys-p is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-18944) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 6.7.19, 6.7.20, 6.7.21…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in baileys-p (npm)

MAL-2026-18944
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall baileys-p

What this malware does

baileys-p 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/socket.js sends the WhatsApp w:mex FOLLOW query for the channel ID(s) 120363419494952607@newsletter, using the victim's authenticated session and without telling them. Same behaviour as the PhantomSub family (MAL-2026-17342).

Malicious versions

7 flagged
6.7.196.7.206.7.216.7.226.7.236.7.246.8.0

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for baileys-p (7 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove baileys-p 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 baileys-p 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. baileys-p on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 6.7.19, 6.7.20, 6.7.21, 6.7.22, 6.7.23, 6.7.24, 6.8.0 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 baileys-p-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

baileys-p (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-18944 | O3 Security