🔥 Land A High Paying Web3 Job In 90 Days LEARN MORE

User Solana wallet exploited in first case of AI poisoning attack

In this post:

  • One user lost $2,500 due to a flawed API linked to a wallet that stole multiple meme tokens, SOL, and USDC.
  • The exploit allegedly happened because AI-generated code for Solana meme token bots turned out to contain a backdoor to steal private keys.
  • The source of the malicious code is most probably a collection of still-active repositories that poisoned ChatGPT’s abilities to create safe meme token sniping bots.

Methods of injecting malicious links are increasing, and it appears to have spread to even AI chat. In this case, the AI bot proposed scam API services, which led to user losses. 

A user discovered ChatGPT is not as security conscious as they expected, especially with crypto links when they tried to create a simple crypto app, a token bumper for Pump.fun. The API link that ChatGPT provided was contaminated and led to an immediate loss. 

The token bumper connected to the flawed API, which ended up demanding the wallet’s private key and siphoning all its assets. The incident serves as a timely reminder that artificial intelligence tools are not entirely reliable when it comes to Web3 security.

The fake API site has been busy with siphoning SOL from multiple wallets. The destination of the exploiter has already performed 281 transactions. While most of the sums were relatively small, all wallets used were compromised. 

Rumors of AI poisoning attacks have been around for a while, but the recent attack is the first complete exploit in the crypto space.

The founder of the SlowMist on-chain security firm corroborated the story, stating that the most probable explanation was that the user was playing around with AI without verifying the code. The end product was a functional bot with a carefully disguised backdoor.

See also  Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD approved for December launch in New York

Fake Solana API attacks meme token traders

The exploiter used their API link to steal some of the latest meme tokens and store them in an identified known wallet. The haul included USDC, SOL, in addition to ELIZA, CHILLGIRL, and AI16Z. 

The site also acted extremely fast after each connection. It is unknown who else made the call to the fake API site, which made its way into OpenAI’s data. One possible explanation is that ChatGPT accesses Python code from multiple repositories, which can be used to contaminate its available data. In the end, the intent to steal wallet data originates from a human agent. Artificial intelligence is only an amplification tool. 

The code created by ChatGPT itself generated a part that asked for the private key. According to ScamSniffer, the exploiters deliberately seeded AI-generated Python code, which users would deploy to snipe new Pump.fun tokens. 

Trusting the code was the first mistake, as users were quick to demand Moonshot or Pump.fun trading bots. Some of the repositories are still active, while others have been reported. 

There is nothing to stop users from attempting to use the bots. The repositories of one such user, Solanaapisdev, still contain risky trading bots, which may end up draining wallets.

It is uncertain who created the bot, but the rush for meme tokens was enough to make unwitting users fall for these malicious trading bots. The best approach is to avoid using unknown repositories, or at least to review the code to the best of one’s knowledge. 

See also  Tether mints another 1B USDT, the stablecoin issuer has minted 14B USDT since Nov 8

Worse, the flawed APIs were also promoted in a Medium article, leading to a documentation page with the same name as the flawed GitHub repository. The available code is promoted to end users who want to automate the process on Jupiter, Raydium, Pump.fun, and Moonshot. 

While some services can limit flawed links, there is little to do when end users have decided to risk their wallets with unverified code.

With more than 69K new meme tokens launched, the need and greed for speedy sniping has laid the foundation for a new type of exploit. OpenAI has not mentioned how ChatGPT was trained to create the risky bot code. 

Malicious Zoom link scams also evolve

Another elaborate attack is evolving at the same time as the API exploit. The fake Zoom link that downloads malware has also changed. 

The service, previously known as Meeten, is now spreading as Meetio, prompting users to download files. The malware also uses elements of social engineering, such as reaching out to crypto influencers, or known large-scale holders.

Recently, one of the fake Zoom meeting exploits drained an influencer’s wallet, leading to a crash in GIGA token prices. 

The advice in each case is to store wallets and private keys on a different device than the one used for riskier connections. For token mints and other connections, the best approach is to use a newly assigned wallet.

A Step-By-Step System To Launching Your Web3 Career and Landing High-Paying Crypto Jobs in 90 Days.

Share link:

Disclaimer. The information provided is not trading advice. Cryptopolitan.com holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

Most read

Loading Most Read articles...

Stay on top of crypto news, get daily updates in your inbox

Editor's choice

Loading Editor's Choice articles...
Cryptopolitan
Subscribe to CryptoPolitan