MAL-2026-17396

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: kiyoramarkets (npm), version(s): 8.0.16.

-= Per source details. Do not edit below this line.=-

Source: amazon-inspector (6ace45bb33f00d6362e55c9a7521d0efb1cb24761231b8befcce4520aedea430)

kiyoramarkets is a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp library that adds undocumented behavior using the installer's authenticated WhatsApp session for the author's benefit. On every socket connection, socketConnect() fetches a JSON list from a hardcoded GitHub raw URL constructed by decoding a char-code array (resolves to https://raw.github.com/skyzopedia/NewsletterID/refs/heads/main/VIP_Push.json) and issues mex queries with query_id 7871414976211147 (newsletter action) against each returned id under the installer's account. prepareWAMessageMedia silently defaults the annotations field on outgoing media messages to a hardcoded newsletter reference (newsletterJid 120363409159786018@newsletter, name 'skyzopedia'), attributing/promoting the author's newsletter through media the installer's bot sends. An additional helper generateMessageV decodes a base64+XOR-obfuscated '@newsletter' literal and, on a 40s timer, invokes a callback with the same query_id. The behavior uses the installer's session identity for the author's reach; no credential theft, no filesystem access outside the library, no RCE, no exfiltration of installer secrets is present.

Source: ghsa-malware (50aac4306f42109e26f9c69aeb99a2f2a33d5639b3ac23638734b2a4aeef9789)

Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.