Malicious Code Injection in prastzy: Unauthorized WhatsApp Channel Subscriptions
Summary
MAL-2026-17448: Malicious code in prastzy (npm). Affects prastzy versions 1.0.0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
prastzy is a fork of the Baileys WhatsApp Web library, designed to facilitate interactions with WhatsApp's web interface. It allows developers to build applications that can send and receive messages, manage contacts, and interact with WhatsApp channels. However, this package has been compromised, leading to unauthorized actions being performed using the installer's WhatsApp account.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from malicious code injected by the publisher of the prastzy package. This code exploits the installer's authenticated WhatsApp session to subscribe the account to various WhatsApp Channels without consent. The code executes a FOLLOW query for specific channel IDs, effectively inflating the publisher's subscriber count. The malicious behavior is not documented, and there is no opt-out mechanism, posing a significant risk to users' privacy and control over their accounts.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall prastzyIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the prastzy package altogether and consider using alternative libraries for WhatsApp integration that do not have known vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The prastzy package has been compromised, leading to unauthorized actions performed on users' WhatsApp accounts. It is crucial to remove this package and monitor your dependencies for vulnerabilities. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for prastzy →
FAQ
The prastzy package contains malicious code that subscribes the user's WhatsApp account to channels without their consent.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by the prastzy vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If you have installed the prastzy package, it is advisable to remove it immediately and look for alternative libraries.
To prevent similar vulnerabilities, regularly audit your dependencies, use tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities, and stay updated with security advisories.
The consequences include unauthorized use of your WhatsApp account, potential privacy violations, and increased subscriber counts for the malicious publisher.
References
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