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Cybercriminals camouflaging threats as AI tool installers

Medium
Published: Thu May 29 2025 (05/29/2025, 15:05:50 UTC)
Source: AlienVault OTX General

Description

Cisco Talos has uncovered new threats disguised as legitimate AI tool installers, including CyberLock ransomware, Lucky_Gh0$t ransomware, and a newly-discovered malware called Numero. These threats exploit the increasing popularity of AI across various industries. CyberLock, developed using PowerShell, encrypts specific files and demands a $50,000 ransom in Monero. Lucky_Gh0$t is a variant of Yashma ransomware, distributed as a fake ChatGPT installer. Numero, masquerading as an AI video creation tool, manipulates the Windows GUI, rendering systems unusable. Threat actors are using SEO poisoning and social media to distribute these fraudulent installers, targeting businesses in B2B sales, technology, and marketing sectors. Organizations must exercise caution and rely on reputable vendors to avoid falling prey to these malicious campaigns.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/07/2025, 18:55:51 UTC

Technical Analysis

Cisco Talos has identified a new wave of cyber threats that leverage the growing popularity of AI tools by disguising malware as legitimate AI software installers. The primary malicious payloads include CyberLock ransomware, Lucky_Gh0$t ransomware, and a newly discovered malware named Numero. CyberLock ransomware is implemented using PowerShell scripts and targets specific file types for encryption, demanding a ransom payment of $50,000 in Monero cryptocurrency. Lucky_Gh0$t is a variant of the Yashma ransomware family and is distributed under the guise of a fake ChatGPT installer, exploiting user trust in popular AI applications. Numero malware masquerades as an AI video creation tool but instead manipulates the Windows graphical user interface, effectively rendering infected systems unusable and causing operational chaos. These threats are propagated through SEO poisoning techniques and social media campaigns, which direct victims to download these fraudulent installers. The attackers specifically target organizations in B2B sales, technology, and marketing sectors, where AI adoption is rapidly increasing. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests these campaigns may be in early stages or targeted, but the use of sophisticated social engineering and distribution methods indicates a significant risk. The threat actors exploit user trust in AI tools and the current hype around AI technologies to increase infection rates. The malware variants differ in their impact: ransomware strains encrypt data for financial gain, while Numero disrupts system usability, potentially causing downtime and productivity loss. This multi-faceted approach increases the overall threat landscape complexity for organizations relying on AI tools or interested in adopting them.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of these threats can be substantial. The ransomware variants (CyberLock and Lucky_Gh0$t) pose a direct financial risk through ransom demands and potential data loss if backups are insufficient or compromised. Encrypted files could include sensitive business data, intellectual property, or customer information, leading to confidentiality breaches and regulatory compliance issues under GDPR. The disruption caused by Numero malware, which manipulates the Windows GUI and renders systems unusable, can lead to significant operational downtime, affecting productivity and service delivery. Sectors such as technology, marketing, and B2B sales are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on AI tools and digital workflows. Additionally, the use of Monero for ransom payments complicates tracing and attribution, potentially encouraging further attacks. The social engineering aspect, leveraging SEO poisoning and social media, increases the likelihood of successful infections, especially in organizations with less mature cybersecurity awareness or controls. The reputational damage from falling victim to such scams can also be significant, impacting customer trust and business relationships. Overall, the threat undermines trust in AI tools and may slow AI adoption if organizations become wary of installing new software without thorough vetting.

Mitigation Recommendations

European organizations should implement a multi-layered defense strategy tailored to this threat landscape. First, enforce strict software installation policies that restrict users from installing unauthorized applications, especially those claiming to be AI tools from unverified sources. Use application allowlisting to permit only vetted software. Enhance endpoint protection with behavioral detection capabilities to identify ransomware activity and GUI manipulation attempts. Conduct targeted user awareness training focusing on the risks of downloading software from untrusted websites, recognizing SEO poisoning tactics, and verifying software authenticity through official vendor channels. Implement robust backup and recovery procedures, ensuring backups are isolated and regularly tested to mitigate ransomware impact. Monitor social media and SEO channels for emerging fake AI tool campaigns to proactively warn employees and customers. Employ network segmentation to limit lateral movement if an infection occurs. Additionally, leverage threat intelligence feeds to stay updated on indicators of compromise related to these malware families. Finally, collaborate with cybersecurity communities and law enforcement to share information and receive support in incident response.

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Technical Details

Author
AlienVault
Tlp
white
References
["https://blog.talosintelligence.com/fake-ai-tool-installers/"]
Adversary
null
Pulse Id
683877ce5988443994d884f3
Threat Score
null

Indicators of Compromise

Hash

ValueDescriptionCopy
hash0e270acc64710f72ad7112f418b4355b
MD5 of e34b8c9798b92f6a0e2ca9853adce299b1bf425dedb29f1266254ac3a15c87cd
hash141abe9a53751cdb3d3bbb8ff26bd09c
MD5 of c484d3394b32e3c7544414774c717ebc0ce4d04ca75a00e93f4fb04b9b48ecef
hash1d47bd1ac1279b6716c9aae9f861fc14
MD5 of 080e29e52a87d0e0e39eca5591d7185ff024367ddaded3e3fd26d3dbdb096a39
hash28c47ef5c1c6bd8e28e2a6d74baa1bc4
MD5 of b53f9c2802a0846fc805c03798b36391c444ab5ea88dc2b36bffc908edc1f589
hash2970ebc29d2e212eac3ffd39dcbf4c69
MD5 of 14c1cb13ffc67b222b42095a2e9ec9476f101e3a57246a1c33912d8fe3297878
hash3f6f606d4c2727241028f26bec00298d
MD5 of f52b4d81c73520fd25a2cc9c6e0e364b57396e0bb782187caf7c1e49693bebbf
hash412b3093cb163fd7c2ec304911c07f2f
MD5 of ca11eb7b9341b88da855a536b0741ed3155e80fc1ab60d89600b58a4b80d63a5
hash477425e2a2ca53a04b97c8c8cf7f56f7
MD5 of 79b041cedef44253fdda8a66b54bdd450605f01bbb77ea87da31450a9b4d2b63
hash74afacced1586346a1bc5bc4ee93e7a7
MD5 of 0759b628512b4eaabc6c3118012dd29f880e77d2af2feca01127a6fcf2fbbf10
hash74ceec119642832763ceba2e37f116e8
MD5 of 1182b8e97daf59ad5abd1cb4b514436249dd4d36b4f3589b939d053f1de8fe23
hash7b753cdfc17eaef1e255423e7d8067b7
MD5 of 527a40f5f73aeb663c7186db6e8236eec6f61fa04923cde560ebcd107911c9ff
hash7c1ff5473513ab8eea03ae0340f1ef02
MD5 of ebdefa6f88e459555844d3d9c13a4d7908c272128f65a12df4fb82f1aeab139f
hash8487fdf3cde0e4203698db63e26a1c79
MD5 of 57a90105ad2023b76e357cf42ba01c5ca696d80a82f87b54aea58c4e0db8d683
hash96c966218df01efe6417c8efd59f0f8d
MD5 of e2171735f02f212c90856e9259ff7abc699c3efb55eeb5b61e72e92bea96f99c
hash9c5de647bbaa388cba8b5f757d0320bf
MD5 of d1efebcca578357ea7af582d3860fa6c357d203e483e6be3d6f9592265f3b41c
hasha152ac51e3cb81f3a86ba24612dea08b
MD5 of a71e274fc3086de4c22e68ed1a58567ab63790cc47cd2e04367e843408b9a065
hasha75a548e7c45673d9d274568cbe7e9de
MD5 of f5efd939372f869750e6f929026b7b5d046c5dad2f6bd703ff1b2089738b4d9c
hashabf900c13397c2be5ca97d410106bafc
MD5 of 2850a346ecb7aebee3320ed7160f21a744e38f2d1a76c54f44c892ffc5c4ab77
hashb330b45a0c29944579f09ead23afc2f2
MD5 of 03b5c76ad07987cfa3236eae5f8a5d42cef228dda22b392c40236872b512684e
hashcc8d52c13303e9c6da3cbc5eada12c19
MD5 of 51fa1d7b95831a6263bf260df8044f77812c68a9b720dad7379ae96200b065dd
hashdb147b8d39fb20d8979d32fa41838b2c
MD5 of 63cde9758f9209f15ee4068b11419fead501731b12777169d89ebb34063467ea
hashe8d74b520d20cf3cb2d88ec7350971bc
MD5 of a2c17f5c7acb05af81d4554e5080f5ed40b10e3988e96b4d05c4ee3e6237c31a
hashedcfc16b0f81cbde5e42fd07647076e4
MD5 of 4787df4eea91d9ceb9e25d9eb7373d79a0df4a5320411d7435f9a6621da2fd6b
hashf5796b519267a311371eb211d5dcef19
MD5 of 0de612ea433676f12731da515cb16df0f98817b45b5ebc9bbf121d0b9e59c412
hash0d27d85202a5cb5429875fadb45a081930bc1b9d
SHA1 of ebdefa6f88e459555844d3d9c13a4d7908c272128f65a12df4fb82f1aeab139f
hash106fd5f3140c2a8fc700e0d351201ec555e23cd4
SHA1 of 4787df4eea91d9ceb9e25d9eb7373d79a0df4a5320411d7435f9a6621da2fd6b
hash14ce4ffe0c5705058da351f993b8e6bbac160395
SHA1 of 0de612ea433676f12731da515cb16df0f98817b45b5ebc9bbf121d0b9e59c412
hash17099432104f0a4ad3b691b4a7e3a950919ca89b
SHA1 of f52b4d81c73520fd25a2cc9c6e0e364b57396e0bb782187caf7c1e49693bebbf
hash1c64b62a753d816058586c0aa2ec010c7c06e50f
SHA1 of 2850a346ecb7aebee3320ed7160f21a744e38f2d1a76c54f44c892ffc5c4ab77
hash1d973e0cc01bcb0efbd5b080e730660f8619052d
SHA1 of d1efebcca578357ea7af582d3860fa6c357d203e483e6be3d6f9592265f3b41c
hash1f0e7e4bc5ec9e15b5757e4d202ff35fd505c0f1
SHA1 of c484d3394b32e3c7544414774c717ebc0ce4d04ca75a00e93f4fb04b9b48ecef
hash239f0cea629cf00408e11be1712075b9f79d9610
SHA1 of f5efd939372f869750e6f929026b7b5d046c5dad2f6bd703ff1b2089738b4d9c
hash36d3d991f7d34530dc06eb3990b8719213aae9aa
hash43387d26b516680ec0a719e5e434da54edc1ceb7
SHA1 of 0759b628512b4eaabc6c3118012dd29f880e77d2af2feca01127a6fcf2fbbf10
hash519e16ee954edd653742e186b71a0264de736151
SHA1 of 03b5c76ad07987cfa3236eae5f8a5d42cef228dda22b392c40236872b512684e
hash52a89d3f744c90299bc0f5e77e28990b7bab676d
SHA1 of 527a40f5f73aeb663c7186db6e8236eec6f61fa04923cde560ebcd107911c9ff
hash53f5cc437bedab39c9b0a142c369b09a753492fd
SHA1 of 57a90105ad2023b76e357cf42ba01c5ca696d80a82f87b54aea58c4e0db8d683
hash55bebe3df3ca7c67f35dc4906f8830fb49c23b3a
SHA1 of b53f9c2802a0846fc805c03798b36391c444ab5ea88dc2b36bffc908edc1f589
hash56e44cee4132fc3fbc0cda9b7dc7e6b1c13593c8
SHA1 of 080e29e52a87d0e0e39eca5591d7185ff024367ddaded3e3fd26d3dbdb096a39
hash8044df46d9afc45fcccff25e36a2b5dafd71d73f
SHA1 of a71e274fc3086de4c22e68ed1a58567ab63790cc47cd2e04367e843408b9a065
hash8a7f5d2e3a164a5cc1700e2c0d68f29bd89237bf
SHA1 of e2171735f02f212c90856e9259ff7abc699c3efb55eeb5b61e72e92bea96f99c
hash93105948886161beedd58b27f710a43a0f9c7adc
SHA1 of a2c17f5c7acb05af81d4554e5080f5ed40b10e3988e96b4d05c4ee3e6237c31a
hash94273101e56640e4e83afeeb654852486f453055
SHA1 of 51fa1d7b95831a6263bf260df8044f77812c68a9b720dad7379ae96200b065dd
hasha7dd8f9d64b984a605ee24b26ee3c4c34af6b5fa
SHA1 of 14c1cb13ffc67b222b42095a2e9ec9476f101e3a57246a1c33912d8fe3297878
hashbf69cfb1bc15fcfd0f65b1c8a9ad9dd469776ff3
SHA1 of 63cde9758f9209f15ee4068b11419fead501731b12777169d89ebb34063467ea
hashc148228ca3bbd467214677684081b8c6c1cfec15
SHA1 of ca11eb7b9341b88da855a536b0741ed3155e80fc1ab60d89600b58a4b80d63a5
hashc356cde05fa95bf4e5d8e4cb756cd349d47fda83
hashe0b0b012dd1001c20a698b2e0a1c7c48fce872d9
SHA1 of 1182b8e97daf59ad5abd1cb4b514436249dd4d36b4f3589b939d053f1de8fe23
hashf202f84b422bd6175c413f482b62d73d780f7de2
SHA1 of e34b8c9798b92f6a0e2ca9853adce299b1bf425dedb29f1266254ac3a15c87cd
hashfe595f79d60a63cbc4d6ac35e84c52cc122302d8
SHA1 of 79b041cedef44253fdda8a66b54bdd450605f01bbb77ea87da31450a9b4d2b63
hash03b5c76ad07987cfa3236eae5f8a5d42cef228dda22b392c40236872b512684e
hash0759b628512b4eaabc6c3118012dd29f880e77d2af2feca01127a6fcf2fbbf10
hash080e29e52a87d0e0e39eca5591d7185ff024367ddaded3e3fd26d3dbdb096a39
hash0de612ea433676f12731da515cb16df0f98817b45b5ebc9bbf121d0b9e59c412
hash1182b8e97daf59ad5abd1cb4b514436249dd4d36b4f3589b939d053f1de8fe23
hash14c1cb13ffc67b222b42095a2e9ec9476f101e3a57246a1c33912d8fe3297878
hash2850a346ecb7aebee3320ed7160f21a744e38f2d1a76c54f44c892ffc5c4ab77
hash2e993bd82ba7225bf5b90da0e84cbd9fa7c012b646ea3954ebde4e211872b2a8
hash352e51c42d5f5727a7c545752bf34d1f83f40219e7036c6959817149a51651bc
hash4787df4eea91d9ceb9e25d9eb7373d79a0df4a5320411d7435f9a6621da2fd6b
hash51fa1d7b95831a6263bf260df8044f77812c68a9b720dad7379ae96200b065dd
hash527a40f5f73aeb663c7186db6e8236eec6f61fa04923cde560ebcd107911c9ff
hash57a90105ad2023b76e357cf42ba01c5ca696d80a82f87b54aea58c4e0db8d683
hash5a79eef18e4e843139287298f41c24bc93e9d0793c48b9706bdaba6aa9de82fd
hash60a1749ce1eae4fba60547b0b357b998e0e522b51ede187d6d3ac2a3b9ecf8c0
hash63cde9758f9209f15ee4068b11419fead501731b12777169d89ebb34063467ea
hash79b041cedef44253fdda8a66b54bdd450605f01bbb77ea87da31450a9b4d2b63
hash7f76985d5d50eb291293967bc986cd83a77281fd61e56355cf30a2ed7e52128e
hash86bfb24c879d1be9ae4fe21ee010798a5d00ef56ababcc69db9ea34d32200fcc
hasha2c17f5c7acb05af81d4554e5080f5ed40b10e3988e96b4d05c4ee3e6237c31a
hasha71e274fc3086de4c22e68ed1a58567ab63790cc47cd2e04367e843408b9a065
hasha96491eeae6bb863943a3469645f152df5803f18441b281bb713f9e9ae8f495c
hashb53f9c2802a0846fc805c03798b36391c444ab5ea88dc2b36bffc908edc1f589
hashc296e654ea989d71f05d687cb74f389a531f17ce0b1cf5bfe0ee83c347e56289
hashc484d3394b32e3c7544414774c717ebc0ce4d04ca75a00e93f4fb04b9b48ecef
hashca11eb7b9341b88da855a536b0741ed3155e80fc1ab60d89600b58a4b80d63a5
hashd1efebcca578357ea7af582d3860fa6c357d203e483e6be3d6f9592265f3b41c
hashd7ffefdf0079c6b4f257f845969d78aba47ff0be6f21af1c62c24c9a092ac884
hashe2171735f02f212c90856e9259ff7abc699c3efb55eeb5b61e72e92bea96f99c
hashe34b8c9798b92f6a0e2ca9853adce299b1bf425dedb29f1266254ac3a15c87cd
hashe49331fa82cb2ef943ee4ea0543ff918e5757b43fc6d8a76c08a3e6d627c5a97
hashebdefa6f88e459555844d3d9c13a4d7908c272128f65a12df4fb82f1aeab139f
hashf3abb0cc802f3d7b95fc8762b94bdcb13bf39634c40c357301c4aa1d67a256fb
hashf52b4d81c73520fd25a2cc9c6e0e364b57396e0bb782187caf7c1e49693bebbf
hashf5efd939372f869750e6f929026b7b5d046c5dad2f6bd703ff1b2089738b4d9c
hashf68ae2c1d42d1b95e3829f08a516fb1695f75679fcfe0046e3e14890460191cf
hashfd34b2d67df7b6f12498e15ae20548827a963da9ec0b1d9f9b44af9d815400f1
hash092864a16fff333b8a98b29eb0a06d6c
MD5 of 14ed3878b6623c287283a8a80020f68e1cb6bfc37b236f33a95f3a64c4f4611f
hash7002b9e747b3d92d6d52f291e911a7fc
MD5 of 1c38e3cda8ac6d79d9da40834367697a209c6b07e6b3ab93b3a4f375b161a901
hashcce97d53af7c61cc8b9953c9d616b101
MD5 of c02d50d0eb3974818091b8dd91a8bbb8cdefd94d4568a4aea8e1dcdd8869f738
hashe80eb9d5accd75020f311400faefdc58
MD5 of 4ffc33bdc8527a2e8cb87e49cdc16c3b1480dfc135e507d552f581a67d1850a9
hashc7fc692b4650356566b33414924475176328bd93
SHA1 of 14ed3878b6623c287283a8a80020f68e1cb6bfc37b236f33a95f3a64c4f4611f
hashe760717e7eee446480dc7947b2a0751a0bc1f651
SHA1 of 4ffc33bdc8527a2e8cb87e49cdc16c3b1480dfc135e507d552f581a67d1850a9
hashe8896bbd75ffca23b7f9e7c0c04c088d60e3ddae
SHA1 of c02d50d0eb3974818091b8dd91a8bbb8cdefd94d4568a4aea8e1dcdd8869f738
hashede9704d231f2950a65e272362c6f3cc82521e5c
SHA1 of 1c38e3cda8ac6d79d9da40834367697a209c6b07e6b3ab93b3a4f375b161a901
hash14ed3878b6623c287283a8a80020f68e1cb6bfc37b236f33a95f3a64c4f4611f
hash1c38e3cda8ac6d79d9da40834367697a209c6b07e6b3ab93b3a4f375b161a901
hash1de72c03927bcd2810ce98205ff871ef1ebf4344fba187e126e50caa1e43250b
hash4ffc33bdc8527a2e8cb87e49cdc16c3b1480dfc135e507d552f581a67d1850a9
hash5b7b8f351f6ba58f2d8fd8516c81b41ad54f4e40a8dc0d66785d20e05dd82c85
hash8e0ad7f8f2f0af45516b09a356a1ca8cda81501208cf9020f33358196001672f
hasha528d85369bbceb665f167a0a84516e91e566832fb377a288daad05d3820ca78
hashc02d50d0eb3974818091b8dd91a8bbb8cdefd94d4568a4aea8e1dcdd8869f738
hashc87503fefe0cb8d8c177575a3f37280683c0dd0ba05212c2c7a7111e9b7dd1df
hashcdeeab7aeab7b893f8be581dd76eccd7fd0f1732c91a95470ff4ea2d567acb63
hashf2e4b537ecd9a4d2a9c844216a1fdc78725d792ed9b8518c29726b4bc4acb8b7

Ip

ValueDescriptionCopy
ip192.210.239.172
CC=US ASN=AS36352 colocrossing

Domain

ValueDescriptionCopy
domainlgaircon.xyz
domaincdn.lgaircon.xyz
domaincdn.phototagx.com
domainwww.roomako.com

Threat ID: 68387d2b182aa0cae28315f6

Added to database: 5/29/2025, 3:28:43 PM

Last enriched: 7/7/2025, 6:55:51 PM

Last updated: 8/11/2025, 11:43:12 PM

Views: 20

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