baileys-xbats
This report shows the evidence for baileys-xbats@1.0.0. 4 of 6 known versions are blocked or flagged. The newest version, 0.0.1-security, is allowed. See all versions.
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 23d ago · by OpenSSF/OSVOpenSSF/OSV advisory MAL-2026-17388 confirms this npm version as malicious.
Advisory
MAL-2026-17388
Source
OpenSSF Malicious Packages via OSV
Summary
Malicious code in baileys-xbats (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: baileys-xbats (npm), version(s): 1.0.3, 1.0.2, 1.0.1, 1.0.0.
References
Independent LPM AI assessment
SuspiciousIndependent AI assessment: suspicious. LPM AI assessed this version as suspicious; the assessments disagree.
The callable uploader transfers arbitrary supplied buffers to unrelated public hosts and has no destination restriction or consent gate. It is not automatically activated, so the evidence supports a warning rather than a publication block.
Static reason
One or more suspicious static signals were detected.; source matched previously finalized malicious package; routed for review; source fingerprint signature matched known malicious package; routed for review
Trigger
A consumer explicitly calls uploadFile with a buffer.
Impact
Caller-provided data may be disclosed to the first reachable public host, outside WhatsApp's media infrastructure.
Mechanism
The function creates multipart upload forms and posts them to a fallback list of public upload services.
AI rationale
The callable uploader transfers arbitrary supplied buffers to unrelated public hosts and has no destination restriction or consent gate. It is not automatically activated, so the evidence supports a warning rather than a publication block.
Evidence
lib/Utils/messages-media.js
Network endpoints5
catbox.moe/user/api.phpscdn.pdi.moe/uploadqu.ax/upload.phpuguu.se/upload.phptmpfiles.org/api/v1/upload
Independent scan evidence
public snapshotAI called this Suspicious at 89.0% confidence as Dangerous Capability with low false-positive risk.
Evidence for AI warning decision
- The public utility module exports an uploadFile function.
- uploadFile places its buffer argument in multipart form data for public file-hosting services.
- The function posts that form to each configured service until one succeeds.
Evidence against
- package.json has no lifecycle scripts.
- No package-internal caller of uploadFile was found; it requires an explicit API call.
- The dynamic import is a fixed audio-decode module name, not caller-controlled code.
Behavioral surface
ChildProcessCryptoEvalFilesystemNetworkWebSocket
HighEntropyStringsUrlStrings
Oversized source lightweight scan
Source & flagged code
8 flagged · loading sourcelib/WABinary/constants.jsView file
603patternName = google_api_key
severity = high
line = 603
High
High Secret
Package contains a high-severity secret pattern.
lib/WABinary/constants.jsView on unpkg · L603603patternName = google_api_key
severity = high
line = 603
High
Secret Pattern
Google API key in lib/WABinary/constants.js
lib/WABinary/constants.jsView on unpkg · L603lib/Utils/messages-media.jsView file
•matchType = normalized_sha256
matchedPackage = noxleyss@1.1.7
matchedPath = lib/Utils/messages-media.js
matchedIdentity = npm:bm94bGV5c3M:1.1.7
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.
Findings
6 High3 Medium4 Low
HighHigh Secretlib/WABinary/constants.js
HighSemantic Analysis LimitedWAProto/index.js
HighKnown Malware Source Similaritylib/Utils/messages-media.js
HighKnown Malware Source Similaritylib/Utils/messages.js
HighKnown Malware Source Fingerprint Signaturelib/Utils/messages-media.js
HighSecret Patternlib/WABinary/constants.js
MediumNetwork
MediumOversized Source FileWAProto/index.js
MediumStructural Risk Force Deep Review
LowEvallib/Utils/messages-media.js
LowFilesystem
LowHigh Entropy Strings
LowUrl Strings
Affected versions and remediation
This report applies to baileys-xbats@1.0.0.
The versions list below shows the verdict for each recorded version.
- Avoid installing baileys-xbats@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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