surabailsnpm
Advisory published Updated
surabails is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-19020) that executes malicious code on install (malicious version 1.6.0). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in surabails (npm)
What this malware does
surabails 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/messages-recv.js sends the WhatsApp w:mex FOLLOW query for the channel ID(s) 120363387535716103@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 surabails (version 1.6.0).
If you installed it — respond
Remove surabails 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 surabails 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 surabails-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.