Winsage
August 19, 2025
Microsoft has identified a sophisticated malware called PipeMagic, disguised as a ChatGPT desktop application, linked to the threat actor Storm-2460, who is preparing for ransomware attacks. This malware exploits a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-29824) affecting the Windows Common Log File System Driver (CFLS), first disclosed in April. PipeMagic has targeted sectors such as information technology, financial, and real estate across the U.S., Europe, South America, and the Middle East. It emerged in 2022 during attacks on Asian entities and resurfaced in September 2024. Victims see a blank screen upon opening the malicious application, complicating detection. Hackers modified an open-source ChatGPT project to embed malicious code that activates the malware, allowing privilege escalation and ransomware deployment. Kaspersky reported that PipeMagic was used in a RansomExx ransomware campaign, and Symantec noted its exploitation by the Play ransomware group.
