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)
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
Detection & response playbook
Malicious packageFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for patron-pro (5 malicious versions).
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.
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
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.