Malicious code in shadowmd (npm)
The npm package shadowmd version 8.6.87 is part of a large family of malicious forks of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library. These forks inject code that silently subscribes the victim's authenticated WhatsApp account to attacker-controlled channels without user consent. The target channels are obfuscated or dynamically fetched, and the malicious action abuses the installer's WhatsApp session to gain subscribers. The code does not exfiltrate credentials, establish persistence, or execute arbitrary remote code.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The shadowmd npm package version 8.6.87 belongs to a family of over 100 near-identical malicious forks of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library. These forks inject a covert channel-subscription action into the WhatsApp socket layer, issuing an authenticated 'w:mex' FOLLOW query to attacker-chosen WhatsApp Channel/Newsletter JIDs using the installer's own authenticated session. The target JIDs are obfuscated via various methods or fetched dynamically from attacker-controlled hosts, allowing runtime changes without republishing. The underlying mechanism involves a patched socket-connect routine that triggers the FOLLOW query shortly after connection. This malicious behavior silently subscribes the victim's account to unwanted channels but does not steal credentials, maintain persistence, or execute arbitrary code remotely.
Potential Impact
The malicious code causes the victim's authenticated WhatsApp account to be silently subscribed to attacker-controlled channels or newsletters without their knowledge or consent. This could lead to unwanted content delivery or spam via WhatsApp channels. There is no credential theft, persistence, or remote code execution involved according to the analysis.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation is indicated in the provided data. Users should avoid installing or using the shadowmd package version 8.6.87 and related malicious forks. Review dependencies for this package and remove or replace them with trusted alternatives. Monitor for updates from the package maintainers or npm advisories for any official fixes.
Malicious code in shadowmd (npm)
Description
The npm package shadowmd version 8.6.87 is part of a large family of malicious forks of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library. These forks inject code that silently subscribes the victim's authenticated WhatsApp account to attacker-controlled channels without user consent. The target channels are obfuscated or dynamically fetched, and the malicious action abuses the installer's WhatsApp session to gain subscribers. The code does not exfiltrate credentials, establish persistence, or execute arbitrary remote code.
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The shadowmd npm package version 8.6.87 belongs to a family of over 100 near-identical malicious forks of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library. These forks inject a covert channel-subscription action into the WhatsApp socket layer, issuing an authenticated 'w:mex' FOLLOW query to attacker-chosen WhatsApp Channel/Newsletter JIDs using the installer's own authenticated session. The target JIDs are obfuscated via various methods or fetched dynamically from attacker-controlled hosts, allowing runtime changes without republishing. The underlying mechanism involves a patched socket-connect routine that triggers the FOLLOW query shortly after connection. This malicious behavior silently subscribes the victim's account to unwanted channels but does not steal credentials, maintain persistence, or execute arbitrary code remotely.
Potential Impact
The malicious code causes the victim's authenticated WhatsApp account to be silently subscribed to attacker-controlled channels or newsletters without their knowledge or consent. This could lead to unwanted content delivery or spam via WhatsApp channels. There is no credential theft, persistence, or remote code execution involved according to the analysis.
Mitigation Recommendations
No official patch or remediation is indicated in the provided data. Users should avoid installing or using the shadowmd package version 8.6.87 and related malicious forks. Review dependencies for this package and remove or replace them with trusted alternatives. Monitor for updates from the package maintainers or npm advisories for any official fixes.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- MAL-2026-17405
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.4
- Ecosystems
- ["npm"]
Threat ID: 6abd30852a4e24523d340119
Added to database: 09/30/2026, 15:53:41 UTC
Last enriched: 09/30/2026, 16:00:37 UTC
Last updated: 09/30/2026, 22:39:24 UTC
Views: 2
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