From securityaffairs.com
In early May, researchers at eSentire Threat Response Unit (TRU) spotted an ongoing BatLoader campaign using Google Search Ads to redirect victims to imposter web pages for AI-based services like ChatGPT and Midjourney.
The rogue pages are designed to promote fake apps of popular AI services.
In the campaign observed by the researchers, threat actors are using BatLoader in the form of MSIX Windows App Installer files to deliver the Redline Stealer. In February 2023, eSentire reported another BatLoader campaign targeting users searching for AI tools.
“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.” reads the analysis published by eSentire.
Users searching on Google for “chatbpt” were redirected to an imposter download page for ChatGPT hosted on hxxps://pcmartusa[.]com/gpt/.