Malicious code in whalibmob (npm)

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: whalibmob (npm), version(s): 5.33.5, 5.33.4, 5.33.3, 5.33.2, 5.32.2, 5.32.1, 5.32.0, 5.30.0, 5.29.6, 5.29.5, 5.29.4, 5.29.3, 5.29.2, 5.29.1, 5.29.0, 5.28.0, 5.25.0, 5.24.2, 5.24.1, 5.24.0. --- _-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-_ ## Source: amazon-inspector (ccd81d6a3ce15d6530e0c52c3fef94cf7a38c08c693b0edb099de358f95be4ea) The package ships several modules combining filesystem reads, HTTPS/HTTP requests, and shell-related tokens: lib/MediaService.js imports fs, http, and https and performs fs.readFileSync and https.request calls; lib/Registration.js contains repeated references to 'ping'; lib/WebVersion.js references 'curl', 'ps', and https.get; lib/socks.js references 'curl', 'POST', and 'hostname'. The package name resembles a well-known library family, and the module names (MediaService, Registration, WebVersion, socks) do not match any documented purpose that was identified. The co-occurrence of network, filesystem, and process primitives in multiple files is consistent with both legitimate library composition and exfiltration tooling; no specific installer-side data read or non-first-party destination was identified in the available evidence, so the pattern-match alone does not establish an attacker-benefit flow.

Source published

29 Oct 2026 13:33:50 UTC

Source modified

29 Oct 2026 13:48:11 UTC

Observed here

29 Oct 2026 14:12:32 UTC

Source terms

OSV · upstream source license applies

Original source record · Cite this exact observation · Complete original publisher JSON

This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: osv · OSV · upstream source license applies. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.