@smart-dev-wa/baileys
Smart Dev WA Enhanced Baileys v7 Engine with Interactive Messages, Albums & Full Fixes
This report shows the evidence for @smart-dev-wa/baileys@1.0.0, the only known version.
This package appears in our research on the malicious Baileys forks, with how it works, the full package list and what to do if you installed it.
OpenSSF/OSV Malicious Advisory
imported 21d ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-17442 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-17442
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in @smart-dev-wa/baileys (npm)
Details
This package is a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library (npm) and belongs to the "PhantomSub" family described by OX Security in September 2026: the publisher injected code that, without the installer asking, uses the installer's own authenticated WhatsApp session to subscribe that account to WhatsApp Channels (newsletters) the publisher chose, by sending the WhatsApp `w:mex` FOLLOW query (query_id 7871414976211147) for each target channel JID.
`package/lib/Socket/newsletter.js` lines 53-61 register a `connection.update` handler that, as soon as the connection opens, sends a FOLLOW query (`xwa2_newsletter_join_v2`) for the plain-literal JID `SAIRIDEV_NEWSLETTER = '120363408385315496@newsletter'` (cited line 58: `await executeWMexQuery({ newsletter_id: SAIRIDEV_NEWSLETTER }, QueryIds.FOLLOW, XWAPaths.xwa2_newsletter_join_v2);`). There is no opt-out. The package README states "No auto-follow channel (newsletter) behavior", which the shipped code contradicts.
Line numbers refer to version 1.0.0.
Static review of the published tarball(s) found no code that sends WhatsApp credentials or session keys off-host, no install-time payload (the only install hook is Baileys' stock Node.js version check in `engine-requirements.js`), and no persistence; the payload runs when an application creates a WhatsApp socket with the library. The harm is the covert use of the victim's account to inflate the publisher's channel subscribers.
SHA-256 of the published npm tarball(s): 1.0.0: `7afa059f55b913a2b78dfcaf0a14adec87a494e166b9c1b4308df9f1eca580f0`.
References
Independent scan evidence
public snapshotBehavioral surface
ChildProcessCryptoEnvironmentVarsFilesystemNativeBindingsNetworkShellWebSocket
HighEntropyStringsUrlStrings
Oversized source lightweight scan
WAProto/index.js5.03 MB file, sampled 256 KB
ChildProcess
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 · L600•matchType = normalized_sha256
matchedPackage = @vanzxy/baileys@1.4.6
matchedPath = lib/WABinary/constants.js
matchedIdentity = npm:QHZhbnp4eS9iYWlsZXlz:1.4.6
similarity = 1.000
summary = normalized source hash matched finalized malicious source
High
Known Malware Source Similarity
Source file is highly similar to a previously finalized malicious package; route for source-aware review.
lib/WABinary/constants.jsView on unpkg600patternName = google_api_key
severity = high
line = 600
High
Secret Pattern
Google API key in lib/WABinary/constants.js
lib/WABinary/constants.jsView on unpkg · L600lib/Utils/validate-connection.jsView file
107pull: false,
L108: devicePairingData: {
L109: buildHash: appVersionBuf,
...
L134: const { details, hmac, accountType } = proto.ADVSignedDeviceIdentityHMAC.decode(deviceIdentityNode.content);
L135: let hmacPrefix = Buffer.from([]);
L136: if (accountType !== undefined && accountType === proto.ADVEncryptionType.HOSTED) {
...
L158: ]);
L159: account.deviceSignature = Curve.sign(signedIdentityKey.private, deviceMsg);
L160: const identity = createSignalIdentity(lid, accountSignatureKey);
Low
Weak Crypto
Package source references weak cryptographic algorithms.
lib/Utils/validate-connection.jsView on unpkg · L107WAProto/index.jsView file
•stage = ast_semantic_analysis; reason = ast_path_work_budget_exceeded; limitedFiles = 4
High
Semantic Analysis Limited
A bounded semantic-analysis stage reached its safety limit; remaining detectors completed, but this package requires AI review.
WAProto/index.jsView on unpkg•path = WAProto/index.js
kind = oversized_source_file
sizeBytes = 5276262
magicHex = [redacted]
Medium
Oversized Source File
Package contains source files above the normal full-analysis size ceiling.
WAProto/index.jsView on unpkglib/Utils/messages-media.jsView file
•matchType = normalized_sha256
matchedPackage = @lordmega/baileys@0.3.40
matchedPath = lib/Utils/messages-media.js
matchedIdentity = npm:QGxvcmRtZWdhL2JhaWxleXM:0.3.40
similarity = 1.000
summary = normalized source hash matched finalized malicious source
High
Known Malware Source Similarity
Source file is highly similar to a previously finalized malicious package; route for source-aware review.
lib/Utils/messages-media.jsView on unpkgFindings
6 High4 Medium5 Low
HighInstall Time Lifecycle Scriptspackage.json
HighHigh Secretlib/WABinary/constants.js
HighSemantic Analysis LimitedWAProto/index.js
HighKnown Malware Source Similaritylib/Utils/messages-media.js
HighKnown Malware Source Similaritylib/WABinary/constants.js
HighSecret Patternlib/WABinary/constants.js
MediumNetwork
MediumEnvironment Vars
MediumOversized Source FileWAProto/index.js
MediumStructural Risk Force Deep Review
LowScripts Present
LowWeak Cryptolib/Utils/validate-connection.js
LowFilesystem
LowHigh Entropy Strings
LowUrl Strings
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to @smart-dev-wa/baileys@1.0.0.
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing @smart-dev-wa/baileys@1.0.0. 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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