{
  "family": "clipspy",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nClipSpy is a utility designed to monitor, inspect, and log the contents of the Windows system clipboard. While it can be utilized legitimately by developers debugging clipboard operations, in a corporate security context, it is broadly classified as \"Riskware\" or a HackTool. Threat actors frequently deploy clipboard monitoring tools to harvest sensitive information—most notably passwords copied from password managers and cryptocurrency wallet addresses.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nClipSpy is not typically self-propagating. It is either downloaded intentionally by an insider threat or dropped as a secondary payload by a broader malware framework (like a RAT or info-stealer) after initial access has been achieved.\n\nUpon execution, the tool leverages standard Windows APIs to perform continuous surveillance:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clipboard Hooking:</strong> ClipSpy hooks into the Windows clipboard event chain (often using `SetClipboardViewer` or modern equivalents). This allows the application to be notified immediately whenever new data is copied to the clipboard by any application on the system.</li>\n<li><strong>Data Parsing (Cryptojacking):</strong> Malicious use of clipboard monitors often involves regex parsing. The tool actively scans copied text for patterns matching cryptocurrency wallet addresses. If a match is found, the tool may instantly replace the victim's copied address with the attacker's wallet address, ensuring any subsequent transfer goes to the attacker.</li>\n<li><strong>Credential Harvesting:</strong> If users utilize password managers but fail to use auto-fill (resorting to copy-pasting passwords), the clipboard monitor will capture the plaintext credentials before they are pasted into the login prompt.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nThe unauthorized presence of a clipboard monitor like ClipSpy is a significant privacy and security risk. It represents a highly effective method for harvesting high-value data (credentials and financial routing information) while bypassing encryption and many traditional network monitoring controls.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Investigate the Source:</strong> Determine how the tool was introduced to the environment. If it was installed by an employee, investigate for potential insider threat activity. If dropped by another process, a broader malware infection is underway.</li>\n<li><strong>Comprehensive Credential Reset:</strong> If the tool was active, it must be assumed that any password copied on that machine has been compromised. All relevant credentials must be reset immediately.</li>\n<li><strong>Process Termination and Removal:</strong> The tool can typically be removed using standard enterprise anti-malware solutions. Ensure that any associated persistence mechanisms (like registry `Run` keys or Scheduled Tasks) that launch the monitor at boot are completely purged.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Riskware.ClipSpy",
    "HackTool.ClipboardMonitor",
    "PUP.ClipSpy"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1115",
    "T1056"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T06:59:32Z",
  "type": "Riskware / HackTool",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}