Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAttackers used user-created ChatGPT Custom GPTs to steer people to a fake verification page and persuade them to run a command in Windows PowerShell. Huntress traced the reported infection chain from that user action through a malicious installer and DLL sideloading to a remote access trojan (RAT). This was social engineering through a legitimate publishing feature—not a reported vulnerability in ChatGPT.
How the ClickFix lure led from a Custom GPT to a RAT
Huntress observed the campaign beginning in late September 2026. Attackers created Custom GPTs titled “Plus 5.6,” a name that could be mistaken for a premium offering. Some people reached them through sponsored search results. The GPT then presented a scripted “Service Availability Notice,” claiming the primary domain had limited availability and directing visitors to a supposed backup domain. That destination was a Google Sites page with a fake Cloudflare verification flow.
The page instructed visitors to copy and paste a command into Windows PowerShell. The deception relied on a person carrying out the command; Huntress did not describe this initial step as a software exploit. ChatGPT’s legitimate domain did not establish that the particular user-created GPT was trustworthy. Huntress’s campaign report
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What happened after the command ran
- The PowerShell command retrieved and ran a script.
- The script downloaded a malicious MSI installer.
- The MSI deployed a legitimate Canon-signed application, which attackers used to sideload a malicious DLL and load later payload stages.
- The activity established persistence through both a Run value and a scheduled task with the same name.
- In a later wave, Huntress observed a Stardock-signed executable, showing that the delivery chain could change.
The signed applications were abused as part of the delivery chain; their signatures do not make the malicious DLL or the activity safe.
What Huntress’s incident counts do—and do not—mean
Huntress reported at least 40 incidents associated with the specific Google Sites domain involved in the campaign. Two of those incidents were confirmed to have originated through a Custom GPT. The 40 figure is not a confirmed count of infections caused by Custom GPTs, nor does the report present it as a global victim total. Huntress campaign reporting
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
These figures describe this reported campaign only. They do not establish how common Custom GPT abuse is across the industry or how prevalent ClickFix attacks are overall.
What defenders should look for
For this incident, the useful detection story is the sequence of behavior, not a single brand name or file hash. Huntress reported changes in delivery details, including a later switch to a Stardock-signed executable after a Canon-signed application appeared in the earlier chain. A rule that depends only on one vendor’s filename or signer may therefore miss a changed variant.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
- Unexpected PowerShell activity after a user is instructed to complete a fake CAPTCHA or verification step.
- PowerShell retrieving a script, followed by MSI download or execution.
- A signed application launched from an unexpected product directory, particularly when it loads an unusual DLL.
- A Run value and scheduled task created with the same name.
Huntress published incident-specific indicators for the malicious GPT URLs, Google Sites lure, delivery infrastructure, PowerShell scripts, MSI, and patched DLL. Treat such indicators as clues from a particular campaign snapshot: validate them before operational use, and do not rely on them alone when delivery infrastructure and filenames can vary. Huntress report and indicators
If you pasted a command from a fake CAPTCHA page
The reported initial execution required the visitor to run the command. If you did so, treat the device as potentially compromised rather than assuming that closing the page stopped the chain. If this is a work device, contact your organization’s IT or security team promptly and tell them what you ran and when; avoid deleting files or changing evidence before they can assess it. Huntress’s report documents the infection sequence and campaign indicators, but does not provide a complete victim-specific remediation checklist.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Why the trust signal was misleading
The campaign combined familiar services—a ChatGPT-hosted publishing feature, Google Sites, and a Cloudflare-style verification screen—to make a malicious path look routine. The decisive warning was the request to copy and execute a command in PowerShell. A page’s appearance, hosting service, or association with a recognized platform cannot verify the safety of commands it asks a visitor to run.
Huntress put the broader lesson this way: “Overall, threat actors continue to turn trusted platforms into convincing entry points for social engineering, whether via ChatGPT’s Custom GPT feature or through Google Sites for hosting a ClickFix attack.”
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Best Value
- Security Key : Protect your online accounts against unauthorized access by using FIDO2 and U2F authentication with T110. It's the world's most protective security key that works with windows, Mac OS, Linux as well as Chrome, Firefox, Edge and many other major browsers.
- Certified with the new FIDO2 standard, T110 provides the benefit of fast login and strong protection against phishing, account takeover as well as many other online attactks.
- Works with : Bank of America, Github, Google, Microsoft, DUO, Twitter, Facebook, Dropbox, Apple, ebay, BINANCE, mor and more.
- Fits USB-A port : Insert the T110 security key into the USB-A port of each service and log in conveniently with one touch
- For the driver download and user guide, please visit TrustKey Solutions Home support page.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
