I think that Malack's speech about his Staff of Obscure Spells suggests that he has the Craft Staff feat. It looks like he researched the so-called obscure spells and made the magic item with them. I can't believe that another person made it because Malack wouldn't share his spells with anyone. I mean, he couldn't even help a friend to research a spell without sneaking in backdoors, let alone teach his spells to someone...