Daily Threat Intel by CyberDudeBivash
Zero-days, exploit breakdowns, IOCs, detection rules & mitigation playbooks.

Follow on LinkedInApps & Security Tools

MAC ATTACK: The “ClickFix” Spyware Hides on the OFFICIAL ChatGPT Website to Steal Your Data

By CyberDudeBivash | MacOS Malware | Threat Intelligence
Official: cyberdudebivash.com | Intel Hub: cyberbivash.blogspot.com

This report contains affiliate recommendations that help support free threat-intel publications by CyberDudeBivash.

TL;DR — ClickFix Spyware Is Masquerading as the ChatGPT Website to Hack Mac Users

• A new MacOS spyware called ClickFix is spreading via malicious ads, browser injection scripts, and cloned websites designed to look like the official ChatGPT page.
• The attack tricks victims into thinking they are downloading a ChatGPT update or plugin — but instead installs a persistent MacOS spyware payload.
• ClickFix records system activity, steals browser data, captures tokens, harvests clipboard entries, and can redirect traffic through malicious proxies.
• No compromise of the real ChatGPT website occurred — attackers simply impersonate it with extremely realistic lookalike domains and injected banners.
• This deep-dive explains the attack chain, forensic indicators, detection rules, and how to fully remove ClickFix from a Mac.

Mac Security Recovery Toolkit (Recommended by CyberDudeBivash)

• Edureka Cybersecurity Programs — Strengthen malware analysis & incident response skills.
• Kaspersky Mac Protection Suite — Detect ClickFix variants instantly.
• Mac Forensics Workstation Tools — Build your analysis lab.

Table of Contents

1. What Is ClickFix Spyware?
2. How Attackers Make It Look Like the Official ChatGPT Website
3. Attack Chain: From Fake ChatGPT Page to Mac Compromise
4. Technical Breakdown of ClickFix
5. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)
6. How to Remove ClickFix From Your Mac
7. Forensics Guide for Analysts
8. How to Stay Protected
9. FAQ
10. Hashtags & Tags

What Is ClickFix Spyware?

ClickFix is a newly observed MacOS spyware designed to bypass Gatekeeper, embed itself into startup processes, and silently steal user data. The malware uses advanced social engineering by pretending to be:

• A ChatGPT update package
• A ChatGPT desktop enhancement tool
• A required browser add-on for ChatGPT performance
• A “Safari compatibility fix” banner displayed over fake ChatGPT pages

No part of this attack involves a breach of OpenAI’s infrastructure — everything is external impersonation crafted to appear official.

How Attackers Make It Look Like the Official ChatGPT Website

Threat actors use three main techniques to make victims believe they are interacting with the real ChatGPT website:

1. Clone Domains

Attackers register visually identical domains such as: chatgpt-pro[dot]support chatgpt-macos[dot]app chat-gpt-secure[dot]online

2. Malvertising Redirects

Search ads redirect to fake ChatGPT pages containing malware installers disguised as update prompts.

3. Browser Injection Banners

Compromised extensions inject fake “ChatGPT requires update” pop-ups directly over real ChatGPT sessions.

Attack Chain: Fake ChatGPT → Installation → Persistence → Data Theft

1. User visits a fake ChatGPT website or sees an injected “update required” popup.
2. User downloads a DMG file claiming to be ChatGPT’s Mac update.
3. Installer bypasses Gatekeeper using signature abuse or quarantine flags.
4. Spyware installs into LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, and hidden Library paths.
5. ClickFix begins exfiltrating browser data, tokens, clipboard entries, and system metadata.
6. Malware maintains persistence and can re-install itself if partially removed.

Technical Breakdown of ClickFix Spyware

• Written in Swift with obfuscated strings and runtime-decrypted payloads
• Installs LaunchAgents for persistence
• Abuses TCC permissions via social engineering dialogs
• Steals Chrome, Safari, Brave, and Edge profile data
• Exfiltrates OpenAI, Google, GitHub, and AWS tokens
• Redirects traffic through malicious DNS entries when possible
• Records clipboard data (passwords, cryptocurrency addresses)

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

• Suspicious LaunchAgents: com.chatgpt.update.plist
• DMG names like “ChatGPT_Mac_Update_Pro.dmg”
• Network traffic to domains ending in “gpt-secure” or “openai-support-app”
• Hidden binaries inside ~/Library/Containers/ and ~/Library/Assistants/

How to Remove ClickFix From MacOS

1. Remove Persistence Agents

rm ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.chatgpt.update.plist
rm ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.chatgpt.secure.plist
    

2. Delete Hidden Malware Binaries

rm -rf ~/Library/Assistants/gptupdate/
    

3. Reset Browser Profiles

4. Use a Mac Security Suite

ClickFix cannot always be removed manually due to re-patching persistence scripts. A dedicated security suite is recommended (see Toolbox).

Forensics Guide for Analysts

• Collect LaunchAgent plist signatures
• Extract DMG artifacts for certificate analysis
• Check browser Login Data / Cookies files for unauthorized exports
• Review clipboard history if monitored
• Collect network logs for exfil patterns

How to Stay Protected

• Always verify domains when downloading anything related to ChatGPT
• Never trust pop-ups or update prompts unrelated to the Mac App Store
• Disable unknown browser extensions
• Use DNS filtering to block impersonation domains
• Install real MacOS threat protection (see Toolbox)

FAQ

Is the real ChatGPT website compromised?

No. Attackers only impersonate it using clone sites, injected overlays, and fake update prompts.

Does ClickFix steal passwords?

Yes — it targets browser password stores, tokens, cookies, clipboard content, and session data.

Does MacOS Gatekeeper stop it?

Not reliably. Attackers bypass quarantine flags and use deceptive signatures.

MacOS Malware, ClickFix Spyware, ChatGPT Impersonation, Threat Intelligence, Malware Analysis, Mac Security, CyberDudeBivash

 #cyberdudebivash #macos #macsecurity #clickfix #spyware #chatgpt #malware #infosec #cybersecurity #threatintel