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

patron-pronpm

Advisory published Updated

patron-pro is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-19000) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 2.0.3, 2.1.0, 2.1.3…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in patron-pro (npm)

MAL-2026-19000
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall patron-pro

What this malware does

patron-pro 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) 120363303045895814@newsletter, using the victim's authenticated session and without telling them. Same behaviour as the PhantomSub family (MAL-2026-17342).

Malicious versions

5 flagged
2.0.32.1.02.1.32.1.42.1.5

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for patron-pro (5 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove patron-pro 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 patron-pro 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. patron-pro on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 2.0.3, 2.1.0, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5 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 patron-pro-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

patron-pro (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-19000 | O3 Security