Google has discovered that North Korean hackers are utilizing synthetic intelligence (AI) to help cryptocurrency theft.
In a latest report, the corporate’s Menace Intelligence Group (GTIG) defined that a number of malware packages depend on giant language fashions (LLMs) to write down or change code whereas working.
GTIG mentioned it has noticed at the least 5 forms of AI-powered malware energetic in present assaults.
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Not like conventional malware, which comprises mounted directions, these new packages can use fashions like Gemini or Qwen2.5-Coder to create or conceal dangerous code when wanted. This strategy, known as “just-in-time code creation”, lets the malware alter itself and keep away from detection methods.
Two examples from the report, PROMPTFLUX and PROMPTSTEAL, present how attackers are combining AI with hacking operations.
PROMPTFLUX contacts the Gemini API each hour to rewrite elements of its VBScript code, whereas PROMPTSTEAL, linked to Russia’s APT28 group, makes use of the Qwen mannequin on Hugging Face to generate Home windows instructions throughout assaults.
The report additionally highlights a North Korean group often known as UNC1069, or Masan. In keeping with Google, this group is thought for stealing cryptocurrency by way of social engineering.
Investigators discovered that UNC1069 used Gemini to search for pockets knowledge, write scripts that attain encrypted recordsdata, and create phishing emails in a number of languages geared toward crypto alternate workers.
Just lately, GTIG recognized a brand new tactic utilized by North Korean hackers, often known as “EtherHiding”. What’s it? Learn the total story.
