MalwarePublished 18 Sep 2026Updated 29 Oct 2026

zero-baileys (npm) · Malicious Code

Affects zero-baileysSource GCVE Database

Malicious package : remove zero-baileys and rotate any secrets on hosts that installed it.

Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 18:10 UTC

Classification

Malicious package

Published to npm · OSV MAL-2026-16280

What to do

Remove zero-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
npmzero-baileys	Affected 2.5.5 – 3.6.0 9 affected builds	Fixed in–

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

Description

The zero-baileys npm package, a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library, has been identified as malicious. Although static analysis shows typical usage of child_process and HTTPS requests consistent with media handling functionality, no direct evidence of exfiltration or credential theft was found. However, the package is considered fully compromising to any system where it is installed or running, with recommendations to rotate all secrets and keys from a separate machine and remove the package. There is no guarantee that removal will eliminate all malicious artifacts due to potential full system compromise.

Impact

Any computer with zero-baileys installed or running is considered fully compromised, potentially allowing attackers full control over the system. All secrets and keys stored on the affected computer should be rotated immediately from a different, secure machine. Removal of the package alone may not eliminate all malicious software or artifacts resulting from the compromise.

Defensive guidance

Remove the zero-baileys package immediately from all affected systems. Rotate all secrets, keys, and credentials from a separate, trusted computer. Due to the potential for full system compromise, further forensic analysis and remediation may be necessary to ensure complete removal of malicious artifacts.

Summary

Zero-baileys is a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library used for media encryption/decryption and media uploads/downloads. Static code analysis detected the presence of child_process and HTTPS request usage consistent with expected functionality, without direct signs of data exfiltration or credential harvesting. Despite this, security sources classify the package as malicious, advising that any system with it installed should be considered fully compromised. The package may allow an attacker full control, necessitating secret/key rotation and removal of the package, though complete remediation is not guaranteed.

References

Community reviews

Loading reviews…

What to do

Affected software

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 29 Oct 2026, 18:10 UTC

Technical details

References

Community reviews