The threat involves a new wave of attacks using the ClickFix malware family to distribute a macOS infostealer. Attackers are exploiting the ChatGPT platform's chat-sharing feature by posting malicious user guides directly on the official ChatGPT website. These guides contain instructions or links that lead users to download and execute the infostealer on their macOS devices. This method leverages the trust users place in the official ChatGPT environment, increasing the likelihood of successful infection through social engineering. The infostealer is designed to harvest sensitive information from infected macOS systems, including credentials, personal data, and potentially tokens or cookies that could be used for further compromise. Although there are no reported active exploits in the wild at this time, the technique of piggybacking on a popular AI chatbot's sharing feature is novel and concerning. The attack vector bypasses traditional email or web filtering by embedding malicious content in a trusted platform, complicating detection. The lack of affected versions and patch links indicates this is not a software vulnerability but a social engineering and malware distribution campaign. The threat is corroborated by sources such as Reddit NetSec and Kaspersky, lending credibility to the report. The campaign targets macOS users, which may limit the scope compared to Windows but still poses a significant risk to organizations with Apple device deployments. The attack compromises confidentiality primarily, with potential downstream impacts on integrity and availability if stolen credentials are used for lateral movement or ransomware deployment.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the compromise of sensitive data on macOS endpoints, including credentials, personal information, and potentially corporate secrets. This can lead to unauthorized access to corporate systems, data breaches, and subsequent financial and reputational damage. The use of a trusted platform like ChatGPT for malware distribution may lower user suspicion, increasing infection rates. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces that rely on macOS devices and AI tools are particularly vulnerable. The attack could disrupt business operations if stolen credentials enable further attacks such as ransomware or espionage. Additionally, regulatory implications under GDPR could result from data breaches caused by this infostealer, leading to fines and legal consequences. The innovative use of AI chatbot features as an attack vector signals a shift in threat actor tactics, requiring organizations to reassess their security posture around emerging technologies. The impact is amplified in sectors with high-value data such as finance, technology, and government institutions prevalent in Europe.

1. Restrict or monitor the use of ChatGPT chat-sharing features within corporate environments to prevent exposure to malicious shared content. 2. Conduct targeted user awareness training focusing on the risks of downloading files or following instructions from shared AI chatbot content, emphasizing skepticism even when content appears on official platforms. 3. Deploy advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with macOS support capable of detecting infostealer behaviors such as credential harvesting and suspicious network communications. 4. Implement strict application control policies on macOS devices to prevent unauthorized execution of downloaded files. 5. Use network-level protections to block known malicious domains and URLs associated with the campaign, updating threat intelligence feeds regularly. 6. Encourage multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all critical systems to limit the impact of credential theft. 7. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual access patterns that may indicate compromised credentials. 8. Collaborate with AI platform providers to report and remediate malicious content abuse within chatbot sharing features. 9. Establish incident response plans specifically addressing threats originating from AI tool misuse and social engineering campaigns.