AI-powered malware emerges as new threat in cybersecurity landscape

Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create sophisticated malware, according to Check Point Software Technologies’ Global Threat Index for September 2024. The report reveals a growing trend of AI-assisted malware development, with AsyncRAT ranking 10th among the most prevalent malware.
Researchers discovered that threat actors likely used AI to develop a script delivering AsyncRAT malware through HTML smuggling.
This method involves sending a password-protected ZIP file containing malicious VBScript code to initiate an infection chain on the victim’s device. The well-structured and commented code suggested AI involvement in its creation.