Summary:
Cybercriminals have introduced a new malicious AI chatbot named GhostGPT, which is specifically designed to assist in creating malware, developing exploits, and crafting phishing emails. Researchers from Abnormal Security discovered that GhostGPT has been actively marketed and sold through Telegram since late 2024. The tool leverages a wrapper to connect with either a jailbroken version of ChatGPT or an uncensored open-source large language model, enabling unrestricted and potentially dangerous responses tailored to the needs of cybercriminals. GhostGPT follows the emergence of earlier malicious AI tools, such as WormGPT, launched in 2023 to facilitate business email compromise attacks. Other variants, including WolfGPT and EscapeGPT, have also gained traction among cybercriminal communities. GhostGPT has already attracted significant attention, with its online forums receiving thousands of views, underscoring the growing interest in AI-driven tools for malicious purposes.

One of GhostGPT’s key selling points is its ease of access. It is available as a Telegram bot, eliminating the need to jailbreak ChatGPT or configure open-source models manually. Prospective users can pay a fee for immediate access to the chatbot, streamlining their ability to launch attacks. The creators claim that GhostGPT records no user activity, ensuring anonymity for customers and allowing them to conduct illegal operations with reduced risk of detection.


Security Officer Comments:
GhostGPT is marketed for a variety of malicious activities, including coding malware, developing exploits, and generating convincing phishing emails and BEC scams. Its promotional materials emphasize its fast response time and user-friendly interface, enabling even low-skilled cybercriminals to execute sophisticated campaigns with efficiency. During testing, Abnormal Security researchers demonstrated the tool’s effectiveness by requesting a DocuSign phishing email template, which the chatbot generated quickly and convincingly.

Suggested Corrections:
Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from their customers. If in doubt, users should verify with the company itself to avoid any potential issues.


Users should always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email. Most companies use a single domain for their URLs and emails, so a message that originates from a different domain is a red flag.


As a general rule, users should not click links or download files even if they come from seemingly “trustworthy” sources.


Check for mismatched URLs. While an embedded URL might seem perfectly valid, hovering above it might show a different web address. In fact, users should avoid clicking links in emails unless they are certain that it is a legitimate link.


Users should always be on the lookout for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies will often employ proofreaders and editors who ensure that the materials they send out are error-free.


Users should not be frightened or intimidated by messages that have an alarmist tone. They should double check with the company if they are uncertain about the status of their accounts.


Phishing emails are designed to be sent to a large number of people, so they need to be as impersonal as possible. Users should check whether the message contains a generic subject and greeting, as this can be a sign of a phishing attempt.


Although not every end user has access to advanced anti-phishing software, they can still use the built-in protection of their email clients to filter messages. One example is setting the email client to block all images unless approved.


Legitimate companies will never send confirmation emails unless there are specific reasons for doing so. In fact, most companies will avoid sending unsolicited messages unless it’s for company updates, newsletters, or advertising purposes.

Users should always take the context of an email or message into account. For example, most online accounts do away with viewable member numbers, so users should be wary if they receive emails containing a “member number” for services that generally don’t use them.

It is important to take note of unusual information in the text of the message. Any mentions of operating systems and software that are not typically used by consumers can often be indicators of a phishing attempt.

If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Users should always err on the side of caution when it comes to sending out personally identifiable information through messages and emails.

Link(s):
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ghostgpt-ai-chatbot-malware/