ChatGPT Vulnerability Spurs SVG Threat Surge

Deepak Gupta
Deepak Gupta

Co-founder/CEO

 
May 20, 2025 3 min read

A critical security vulnerability in ChatGPT has been identified, enabling attackers to embed malicious SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) and image files within shared conversations. This flaw, documented as CVE-2025-43714, is active until March 30, 2025. Researchers found that instead of treating SVG code as text, ChatGPT executes these elements when a chat is reopened or shared via links. This creates a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. The researcher, zer0dac, stated, “The ChatGPT system through 2025-03-30 performs inline rendering of SVG documents instead of rendering them as text inside a code block, which enables HTML injection within most modern graphical web browsers.” ChatGPT Vulnerability Malicious images Image courtesy of Cybersecurity News The implications of this vulnerability are serious, as attackers can craft messages embedded within SVG code that may look legitimate to users. SVG files can contain embedded JavaScript, which executes when the image is rendered in a browser, leading to potential phishing exploits. OpenAI has initiated mitigation efforts by disabling link-sharing features following the report of this vulnerability, but a comprehensive fix is still in development. Payloads Image courtesy of Cybersecurity News

Increase in SVG Phishing Payloads

The KnowBe4 Threat Research team has recorded a significant rise in the use of SVG files to obfuscate phishing payloads. In a recent analysis, they found that SVGs accounted for 6.6% of malicious attachments in phishing emails between January and March 2025, marking a 245% increase from the previous quarter. The largest spike occurred on March 4, when SVGs represented 29.5% of all malicious attachments. Analysis of Two SVG Phishing Campaigns Image courtesy of KnowBe4

Campaign Analysis

Two primary campaigns contributed to the increase in SVG phishing. The first campaign utilized SVG attachments with polymorphic file names, designed to appear as routine system notifications. These emails often originated from compromised accounts to evade detection. The second campaign featured “missed message” phishing emails prompting users to open attachments, which contained JavaScript that redirected users to credential harvesting sites. Phishing attack detected by KnowBe4 Defend with malicious SVG file attachment featuring polymorphic file name. Image courtesy of KnowBe4

Detection Challenges with SVGs

SVG files present unique challenges for cybersecurity defenses. Their XML structure can incorporate scripts that are invisible to users and certain virus scanners, making them an attractive option for cybercriminals. Traditional email security filters often overlook SVGs, as they are generally considered safe file types.

Advanced Threat Mitigation

Organizations should adopt advanced email security measures that include contextual analysis, attachment inspection, and natural language processing to distinguish between legitimate communication and phishing attempts. Implementing zero trust approaches can further enhance security by analyzing all factors surrounding email communication. Credential harvesting website designed to steal Microsoft logins, with target’s email address prefilled. Image courtesy of KnowBe4

GrackerAI's Role

GrackerAI offers an AI-powered cybersecurity marketing platform that helps organizations transform security news into strategic content opportunities. By automating insight generation from industry developments, GrackerAI enables marketing teams to identify emerging trends and produce relevant content that resonates with cybersecurity professionals. This capability is essential in combating threats like those posed by SVG phishing attempts and ensuring timely, targeted marketing materials for cybersecurity vendors. Explore our services or contact us at GrackerAI to leverage our tools in enhancing your cybersecurity content strategy. Visit us at https://gracker.ai.

Latest Cybersecurity Trends & Breaking News

Pwn2Own Berlin 2025: Uncovering Vulnerabilities Breach Fatalism is Over: Identity Threat Prevention

Deepak Gupta
Deepak Gupta

Co-founder/CEO

 

Cybersecurity veteran and serial entrepreneur who built GrackerAI to solve the link between B2B SaaS product and search engine. Leads the mission to help cybersecurity brands dominate search results through AI-powered product-led ecosystem.

Related Articles

The Question Hub Strategy: How B2B SaaS Companies Capture AI Search Traffic

Learn how B2B SaaS companies use Question Hub strategy to capture ChatGPT, Claude & Perplexity traffic. 5-step process with real case studies & results.

By Deepak Gupta July 23, 2025 3 min read
Read full article

Google Adds Comparison Mode for Real-Time SEO Checks

Use Google’s new Search Console comparison mode for hourly SEO audits. Perfect for SaaS & cybersecurity marketers tracking real-time changes.

By Ankit Agarwal July 18, 2025 3 min read
Read full article

2025 Programmatic SEO Playbook: AI, Real-Time Data, and Market Domination

Master 2025 programmatic SEO with AI-powered content, real-time data integration, and dynamic optimization. Includes implementation guide and competitive advantages.

By Deepak Gupta July 6, 2025 10 min read
Read full article

Quality at Scale: How AI Solves Programmatic SEO's Biggest Challenge

Discover how AI transforms thin programmatic content into high-quality pages that survive Google's 2025 updates. Includes quality metrics and implementation guide.

By Deepak Gupta July 6, 2025 13 min read
Read full article