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Malicious package

shadowmd-baileysnpm

Advisory published Updated

shadowmd-baileys is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-19014) that executes malicious code on install (malicious versions 8.6.49, 8.6.50, 8.6.51…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.

Malicious code in shadowmd-baileys (npm)

MAL-2026-19014
Immediate action
Remove the package, then rotate any secrets the build/runtime could reach.
npm uninstall shadowmd-baileys

What this malware does

shadowmd-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) 120363407277177688@newsletter, 120363423975826201@newsletter, using the victim's authenticated session and without telling them. Same behaviour as the PhantomSub family (MAL-2026-17342).

Malicious versions

11 flagged
8.6.498.6.508.6.518.6.528.6.548.6.558.6.568.6.578.6.598.6.908.6.91

Detection & response playbook

Malicious package
  1. Find it

    Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for shadowmd-baileys (11 malicious versions).

  2. If you installed it — respond

    Remove shadowmd-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 shadowmd-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. shadowmd-baileys on npm has been identified as a malicious package (versions 8.6.49, 8.6.50, 8.6.51, 8.6.52, 8.6.54, 8.6.55, 8.6.56, 8.6.57, and 3 more 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 shadowmd-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

shadowmd-baileys (npm) malicious package — MAL-2026-19014 | O3 Security