• Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
MUST READ

Microsoft linked attacks on SharePoint flaws to China-nexus actors

 | 

Cisco confirms active exploitation of ISE and ISE-PIC flaws

 | 

SharePoint under fire: new ToolShell attacks target enterprises

 | 

CrushFTP zero-day actively exploited at least since July 18

 | 

Hardcoded credentials found in HPE Aruba Instant On Wi-Fi devices

 | 

MuddyWater deploys new DCHSpy variants amid Iran-Israel conflict

 | 

U.S. CISA urges to immediately patch Microsoft SharePoint flaw adding it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 

Microsoft issues emergency patches for SharePoint zero-days exploited in "ToolShell" attacks

 | 

SharePoint zero-day CVE-2025-53770 actively exploited in the wild

 | 

Singapore warns China-linked group UNC3886 targets its critical infrastructure

 | 

U.S. CISA adds Fortinet FortiWeb flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 

SECURITY AFFAIRS MALWARE NEWSLETTER ROUND 54

 | 

Security Affairs newsletter Round 533 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION

 | 

Radiology Associates of Richmond data breach impacts 1.4 million people

 | 

Fortinet FortiWeb flaw CVE-2025-25257 exploited hours after PoC release

 | 

Authorities released free decryptor for Phobos and 8base ransomware

 | 

Anne Arundel Dermatology data breach impacts 1.9 million people

 | 

LameHug: first AI-Powered malware linked to Russia’s APT28

 | 

5 Features Every AI-Powered SOC Platform Needs in 2025

 | 

Broadcom patches critical VMware flaws exploited at Pwn2Own Berlin 2025

 | 
  • Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
  • Home
  • Breaking News
  • Malware
  • Reports
  • Security
  • A generative artificial intelligence malware used in phishing attacks

A generative artificial intelligence malware used in phishing attacks

Pierluigi Paganini September 24, 2024

HP researchers detected a dropper that was generated by generative artificial intelligence services and used to deliver AsyncRAT malware.

While investigating a malicious email, HP researchers discovered a malware generated by generative artificial intelligence services and used to deliver the AsyncRAT malware.

The AI-generated malware was discovered in June 2024, the phishing message used an invoice-themed lure and an encrypted HTML attachment, utilizing HTML smuggling to avoid detection. The encryption method stood out because the attacker embedded the AES decryption key in JavaScript within the attachment, which is unusual. Upon decryption, the attachment mimics a website but contains VBScript that acts as a dropper for the AsyncRAT infostealer. The VBScript modifies the Registry, drops a JavaScript file executed as a scheduled task, and creates a PowerShell script that triggers the AsyncRAT payload.

The analysis of the code revealed that the threat actors behind the campaign had commented on almost the entire code. This is unusual among malware authors, as they typically aim to make the analysis of their malicious code more difficult.

!Interestingly, when we analyzed the VBScript and the JavaScript, we were surprised to find that the code was not obfuscated. In fact, the attacker had left comments throughout the code, describing what each line does even for simple functions. Genuine code comments in malware are rare because attackers want to their make malware as difficult to understand as possible.” reads the HP’s “Threat Insights report for Q2 2024. report published by HP. “Based on the scripts’ structure, consistent comments for each function and the choice of function names and variables, we think it’s highly likely that the attacker used GenAI to develop these scripts (T1588.007).5 The activity shows how GenAI is accelerating attacks and lowering the bar for cybercriminals to infect endpoints.”

generative artificial intelligence malware

Threat actors have been using generative AI to craft phishing lures, but its use in creating malicious code has been rare. The case described by HP highlights how generative artificial intelligence is accelerating cyberattacks and making it easier for criminals to develop malware.

“The scripts’ structure, comments and choice of function names and variables were strong clues that the threat actor used GenAI to create the malware (T1588.007).” concludes the report. “The activity shows how GenAI is accelerating attacks and lowering the bar for cybercriminals to infect endpoints.”

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, generative artificial intelligence malware)


facebook linkedin twitter

generative artificial intelligence Hacking hacking news information security news IT Information Security malware Pierluigi Paganini Security Affairs Security News

you might also like

Pierluigi Paganini July 23, 2025
Microsoft linked attacks on SharePoint flaws to China-nexus actors
Read more
Pierluigi Paganini July 22, 2025
Cisco confirms active exploitation of ISE and ISE-PIC flaws
Read more

leave a comment

newsletter

Subscribe to my email list and stay
up-to-date!

    recent articles

    Microsoft linked attacks on SharePoint flaws to China-nexus actors

    APT / July 23, 2025

    Cisco confirms active exploitation of ISE and ISE-PIC flaws

    Hacking / July 22, 2025

    SharePoint under fire: new ToolShell attacks target enterprises

    Hacking / July 22, 2025

    CrushFTP zero-day actively exploited at least since July 18

    Hacking / July 22, 2025

    Hardcoded credentials found in HPE Aruba Instant On Wi-Fi devices

    Security / July 22, 2025

    To contact me write an email to:

    Pierluigi Paganini :
    pierluigi.paganini@securityaffairs.co

    LEARN MORE

    QUICK LINKS

    • Home
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber warfare
    • APT
    • Data Breach
    • Deep Web
    • Digital ID
    • Hacking
    • Hacktivism
    • Intelligence
    • Internet of Things
    • Laws and regulations
    • Malware
    • Mobile
    • Reports
    • Security
    • Social Networks
    • Terrorism
    • ICS-SCADA
    • POLICIES
    • Contact me

    Copyright@securityaffairs 2024

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT