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In TRU Positives, eSentire’s Threat Response Unit (TRU) provides a summary of a recent threat investigation. We outline how we responded to the confirmed threat and what recommendations we have going forward.
Here’s the latest from our TRU Team…
In early May, eSentire Threat Response Unit (TRU) identified an ongoing BatLoader campaign using Google Search Ads to deliver imposter web pages for ChatGPT and Midjourney:
Both AI services are extremely popular but lack first-party standalone apps (i.e., users interface with ChatGPT via their web interface while Midjourney uses Discord).
This vacuum has been exploited by threat actors looking to drive AI app-seekers to imposter web pages promoting fake apps.
In its latest campaign, BatLoader is using MSIX Windows App Installer files to infect devices with Redline Stealer. This is not the first time BatLoader has targeted users searching for AI tools. In February 2023, TRU identified a series of newly registered BatLoader domains, which included chatgpt-t[.]com.
In this case, the infection was traced to a Google search for “chatbpt”, leading to an imposter download page for ChatGPT hosted on hxxps://pcmartusa[.]com/gpt/:
The download link led to advert-job[.]ru
then job-lionserver[.]site
for the final payload. job-lionserver[.]site
has been noted previously as a BatLoader Payload site.
Chat-GPT-x64.msix (md5hash: 86a9728fd66d70f0ce8ef945726c2b77
) is a Windows App Package format used for installing applications.
Windows requires all files that make up an MSIX app to be signed with a common signature. This package is digitally signed by ASHANA GLOBAL LTD:
Examining the contents of the package, we see the various assets used during installation:
Looking at the AppXManifest file, we can see the package was created by a Russian speaker using Advanced Installer version 20.2 with a professional license:
Opening the package in AdvancedInstaller, we can see the application will launch both an executable (ChatGPT.exe
) and a PowerShell script (Chat.ps1
).
The installer will also use the ChatGPT logo and target Windows desktop versions between October 2018 Update - 1809 and October 2022 Update - 22H2.
Clicking the installer file launches the Windows App Installer wizard:
The file signature is crucial for MSIX packages, the installer will not let you proceed without a signature from a trusted certificate (Windows 10 requires all applications to be signed with a valid code signing certificate.)
During installation, Chat.ps1
and ChatGPT.exe
are executed under the context of aistubx64.exe
.
Chat.ps1
is a basic PowerShell download cradle. In this case it downloads and loads Redline Stealer from adv-pardorudy[.]ru
into memory as an assembly. The script also performs two requests to the C2 panel:
adv-pardorudy[.]ru
along with the time and IP address of the victim.These actions are taken for statistical tracking purposes by operators, allowing them to easily identify successful victims and track metrics around specific campaigns or themes.
This Redline sample (md5hash 7716F2344BCEBD4B040077FC00FDB543
) is configured to connect to IP 185.161.248[.]81
using the Bot ID “ChatGPT_Mid”, a reference to the two lures used in this campaign (ChatGPT and MidJourney).
Examining ChatGPT.exe
, TRU observed that the executable uses Microsoft Edge WebView2 to load https://chat.openai.com/ in pop-up window post-installation.
The primary functionality is to redirect the user’s attention and assure them that they have installed a valid application. The result is a popup window containing the real ChatGPT web page embedded in a barebones browser window. Other functionality of this executable is not immediately clear.
In a separate case in May 2023, TRU observed a similar infection scheme promoting an imposter page for Midjourney. This resulted in the user downloading Midjourney-x64.msix
, a Windows Application Package also signed by ASHANA GLOBAL LTD.
In this case, the installer executes an obfuscated PowerShell script (Chat-Ready.ps1
), which ultimately is identical to the script shown in Figure 13 albeit with a different C2 domain.
Indicator |
Note |
hxxps://pcmartusa[.]com/gpt/ |
Imposter download page for ChatGPT |
advert-job[.]ru |
Batloader Payload Hosting/C2 |
job-lionserver[.]site |
Batloader Payload Hosting |
86a9728fd66d70f0ce8ef945726c2b77 |
Chat-GPT-x64.msix |
cfe067ccaa39fb203af404e1d42cb739 |
Chat.ps1 |
33ee0bb76f93a82bbab5fd4b2a903291 |
ChatGPT.exe |
906f7ddf43b924f399518b1a0f23ed4f |
Midjourney-x64.msix |
C29215DDCD02477252E96E4CB33BD29D |
Midjourney.exe |
50BE501494F981065825F44DDDF693F3 |
Chat-Ready.ps1 |
jokeadvert[.]ru |
Batloader C2 |
adv-pardorudy[.]ru |
Redline Payload |
7716F2344BCEBD4B040077FC00FDB543 |
Redline Stealer |
185.161.248.81 |
Redline Stealer C2 |
eSentire’s Threat Response Unit (TRU) is a world-class team of threat researchers who develop new detections enriched by original threat intelligence and leverage new machine learning models that correlate multi-signal data and automate rapid response to advanced threats.
If you are not currently engaged with an MDR provider, eSentire MDR can help you reclaim the advantage and put your business ahead of disruption.
Learn what it means to have an elite team of Threat Hunters and Researchers that works for you. Connect with an eSentire Security Specialist.
Our industry-renowned Threat Response Unit (TRU) is an elite team of threat hunters and researchers, that supports our 24/7 Security Operations Centers (SOCs), builds detection models across our Atlas XDR Cloud Platform, and works as an extension of your security team to continuously improve our Managed Detection and Response service. TRU has been recognized for its threat hunting, original research and content development capabilities. TRU is strategically organized into cross-functional groups to protect you against advanced and emerging threats, allowing your organization to gain leading threat intelligence and incredible cybersecurity acumen.