@bellaxchuu/crystalred
This report shows the evidence for @bellaxchuu/crystalred@0.1.2. 1 of 3 known versions is blocked or flagged. The newest version, 0.0.1-security, is allowed. See all versions.
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 23d ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-17343 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-17343
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in @bellaxchuu/crystalred (npm)
Details
This package is part of a large family (100+ identified as of September 2026) of near-identical forks of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library that inject a covert channel-subscription action into the WhatsApp socket layer. On connect, the injected code issues an authenticated `w:mex` FOLLOW query (query_id 7871414976211147) against one or more attacker-chosen WhatsApp Channel/Newsletter JIDs, using the installer's own authenticated WhatsApp session -- silently subscribing the victim's account to channels it never asked to join.
The target JID(s) are hidden from casual source review via one of several obfuscation techniques observed across the family: a plain string literal, base64 encoding, base64+XOR, or a char-code array reconstructed at runtime. Some variants instead fetch a mutable, attacker-controlled remote JSON/JS list of target JIDs from GitHub or another host at runtime, letting the target list change after installation without a new npm publish. Every sample in the family shares the same underlying mechanism (a wrapped/patched socket-connect routine that fires the FOLLOW query some seconds after connect), even though the package name, JID value(s), and obfuscation/delivery method differ per fork.
The malicious action abuses the installer's own authenticated WhatsApp session to gain reach and subscribers for attacker-controlled channels; it does not exfiltrate credentials, establish persistence, or execute arbitrary remote code.
Affected package: @bellaxchuu/crystalred (npm), version(s): 0.1.2.
References
Independent LPM AI assessment
SuspiciousIndependent AI assessment: suspicious. LPM AI assessed this version as suspicious; the assessments disagree.
This is not concrete malware, but the runtime shell interpolation is a real command-injection risk. The lifecycle hook itself is benign and limited to a version check.
Static reason
One or more suspicious static signals were detected.; source matched previously finalized malicious package; routed for review
Trigger
A caller requests video thumbnail generation with a crafted file path.
Impact
A crafted path could execute commands with the host application's privileges.
Mechanism
Shell command injection through unquoted ffmpeg arguments.
AI rationale
This is not concrete malware, but the runtime shell interpolation is a real command-injection risk. The lifecycle hook itself is benign and limited to a version check.
Evidence
lib/Utils/messages-media.js
Independent scan evidence
public snapshotAI called this Suspicious at 91.0% confidence as Critical Vulnerability with low false-positive risk.
Evidence for AI warning decision
- The install hook runs a local Node-version check.
- Media thumbnail generation builds an ffmpeg shell command by interpolating file paths.
- The reported token string is a WhatsApp protocol dictionary entry, not a credential.
Evidence against
- The install hook only reads the running Node version and exits when it is too old.
- No install-time network access, file harvesting, persistence, or project mutation was found.
- Observed network code implements WhatsApp media and WebSocket operations at runtime.
Behavioral surface
ChildProcessCryptoFilesystemNetworkShellWebSocket
HighEntropyStringsUrlStrings
GitDependency
Oversized source lightweight scan
Source & flagged code
8 flagged · loading sourcepackage.jsonView file
•scripts.preinstall = node ./engine-requirements.js
High
Install Time Lifecycle Scripts
Package defines install-time lifecycle scripts.
package.jsonView on unpkglib/WABinary/constants.jsView file
600patternName = google_api_key
severity = high
line = 600
High
High Secret
Package contains a high-severity secret pattern.
lib/WABinary/constants.jsView on unpkg · L600600patternName = google_api_key
severity = high
line = 600
High
Secret Pattern
Google API key in lib/WABinary/constants.js
lib/WABinary/constants.jsView on unpkg · L600Findings
5 High5 Medium6 Low
HighInstall Time Lifecycle Scriptspackage.json
HighHigh Secretlib/WABinary/constants.js
HighSemantic Analysis Limitedlib/Utils/business.js
HighKnown Malware Source Similaritylib/Utils/messages-media.js
HighSecret Patternlib/WABinary/constants.js
MediumNetwork
MediumShips Build HelperWAProto/GenerateStatics.sh
MediumOversized Source FileWAProto/index.js
MediumStructural Risk Force Deep Review
MediumGit Dependency
LowNon Install Lifecycle Scripts
LowScripts Present
LowWeak Cryptolib/Utils/validate-connection.js
LowFilesystem
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to @bellaxchuu/crystalred@0.1.2.
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing @bellaxchuu/crystalred@0.1.2. Remove it from direct dependencies and check your lockfile for transitive copies.
- Choose an independently verified alternative or release. This report does not establish that other versions are safe.
- If this version ran, investigate the affected machine and build environment. Rotate credentials it could access and rebuild from a trusted environment.
Evidence last updated: .
Source advisory published: .
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