@badzz88/baileys (npm) · Malicious Code
Affects @badzz88/baileysSource GCVE Database
Malicious package : remove @badzz88/baileys and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.
Data as of 12 Oct 2026, 22:49 UTC
Malicious package
Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-17341
What to do
Remove @badzz88/baileys from every project, lockfile and image that pulls it in. Treat any host that installed it as compromised: rotate the credentials, tokens and keys it could read, from a clean machine.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| npm@badzz88/baileys | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
The @badzz88/baileys npm package, a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library, contains malicious code that silently subscribes the victim's WhatsApp account to attacker-controlled channels without user consent. This is achieved by injecting a covert FOLLOW query into the WhatsApp socket connection using the installer's authenticated session. The malicious code does not steal credentials, maintain persistence, or execute arbitrary code. The targeted channel IDs are obfuscated or fetched remotely, allowing attackers to change targets after installation.
References
- ox.security/blog/phantomsub-malicious-npm-campaign-secretly-adds-users-to-whatsapp-spam-channels/ (opens in a new tab)
- npmjs.com/package/@badzz88/baileys/v/8.4.9 (opens in a new tab)
- npmjs.com/package/@badzz88/baileys/v/8.6.0 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-884c-mw3w-x2wg (opens in a new tab)