# MAL-2026-17396: Malicious code in kiyoramarkets (npm)


- **Type:** Malicious package
- **Package:** `kiyoramarkets` (npm)
- **Published:** 8 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-23wg-cgvp-f8w7

## What is MAL-2026-17396?

MAL-2026-17396 is a malicious package in kiyoramarkets, published on 8 Oct 2026. 

### Official description

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.

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.

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.

## What should I do about MAL-2026-17396?

Remove the package from your dependencies and lockfiles, then rotate any secrets on machines where it was installed.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
MAL-2026-17396 is a malicious package: kiyoramarkets (npm). Every version was published to cause harm.

Task:
1. Search this repository's dependency manifests and lockfiles for the package, including transitive dependencies.
2. If it is present, remove it, regenerate the lockfile with the project's package manager, and replace whatever it was used for.
3. List any CI runners, developer machines or containers that installed it, so their secrets can be rotated.
4. If the package is not used anywhere, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17396/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17396/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/MAL-2026-17396

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/MAL-2026-17396/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.