Covert Channel Subscription Vulnerability in @bellaxchuu/crystalred Package
Summary
MAL-2026-17343: Malicious code in @bellaxchuu/crystalred (npm). Affects @bellaxchuu/crystalred versions 0.1.2. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The @bellaxchuu/crystalred package is a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library, designed to facilitate interactions with the WhatsApp platform. It is part of a larger family of similar packages that share common functionalities. However, this package has been identified as malicious due to its ability to inject covert actions into the WhatsApp socket layer, compromising user privacy and control over subscriptions.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the package's ability to inject malicious code that executes an unauthorized FOLLOW query to subscribe the victim's WhatsApp account to attacker-controlled channels. This occurs without the user's consent, leveraging the user's authenticated session. The malicious code employs various obfuscation techniques to hide the target JIDs, making it difficult for users to detect the threat. The attack does not exfiltrate credentials or execute arbitrary remote code, but it does exploit the user's session for malicious purposes.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall @bellaxchuu/crystalredIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, consider removing the package from your dependencies and replacing it with a trusted alternative that does not exhibit such malicious behavior. You can do this by running: npm uninstall @bellaxchuu/crystalred.
Conclusion
The @bellaxchuu/crystalred package poses a significant risk to user privacy by enabling unauthorized subscriptions to WhatsApp channels. Users are urged to remove the package and monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert. Staying informed and proactive is essential to maintaining security in open-source software.
See every vulnerability recorded for @bellaxchuu/crystalred →
FAQ
The package contains malicious code that subscribes users to WhatsApp channels without their consent.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner.
It is advisable to uninstall the package immediately and replace it with a trusted alternative.
No, the vulnerability does not exfiltrate credentials but uses your authenticated session to perform unauthorized actions.
Yes, consider using other reputable WhatsApp libraries that do not exhibit malicious behavior.
