Our AI writing assistant, WriteUp, can assist you in easily writing any text. Click here to experience its capabilities.

OpwnAI: AI That Can Save the Day or HACK it Away

View Original View Raw

Summary

In this article, Check Point Research demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) models can be used to create a full infection flow, from spear-phishing to running a reverse shell. It outlines how AI models such as ChatGPT and Codex can be used to generate malicious code and automated scripts to aid cyber-attacks. It also touches on how AI can be used by defenders and threat hunters to automate and improve their work. The article emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant on how this new and developing technology can affect the threat landscape, for both good and bad.

Q&As

What is OpenAI's Large Language Model (LLM) and how is it used?
OpenAI's Large Language Model (LLM) is an interface used to generate well-written code and aid the development process.

How could OpenAI's technology be used by low-skilled threat actors to launch cyber-attacks?
OpenAI's technology could be used by low-skilled threat actors to create a phishing email with a malicious Excel file weaponized with macros that downloads a reverse shell.

How did Check Point Research use ChatGPT and Codex to create a full infection flow?
Check Point Research used ChatGPT to create a plausible phishing email and Codex to generate malicious VBA code in the Excel document, a basic reverse shell, malicious tools, sandbox detection script, and a script to convert Python to an exe.

What impact could OpenAI have on the defenders' side?
OpenAI could help researchers automate and improve their work by writing simple Python functions to search for URLs inside files using the YARA package and query VirusTotal for the number of detections of a specific hash.

What is the importance of being vigilant when using this new technology?
It is important to be vigilant when using this new technology as it can be used for both good and bad, and can lower the required entrance bar for low skilled threat actors to run phishing campaigns and to develop malware.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a great insight into the potential risks and benefits of OpenAI's new Large Language Model (LLM) and how it can be used to create a full infection flow. It also provides great examples of how OpenAI can be used to help defenders and threat hunters automate and improve their work.

👎 This article does not provide enough evidence to demonstrate the potential risks of OpenAI's new Large Language Model (LLM) and how it can be used by cybercriminals to launch malicious attacks. It also lacks examples of how this technology can be used to its full potential by attackers.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about OpenAI's release of the Large Language Model (LLM) interface and how it can be used by both defenders and threat actors. It shows how AI models can create a full infection flow, from spear-phishing to running a reverse shell.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. It's scary to think that AI could be used to generate malicious code and make cyber threats more accessible to less-skilled hackers.

Me: Exactly. It's a double-edged sword. The article talks about how AI can be used by defenders as well to automate tasks and respond to threats more quickly. But it's important to be aware of the risks posed by this technology, and to stay vigilant about how it is used.

Action items

Research the potential implications of OpenAI on the threat landscape.
Develop strategies to defend against malicious code generated by OpenAI.
Explore ways to use OpenAI to automate and improve the work of defenders and threat hunters.

Technical terms

OpenAI: OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory founded in 2015 by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and others. It is based in San Francisco, California.
Checkpoint.com: Checkpoint.com is a website owned by Check Point Software Technologies, a cybersecurity company. It provides information on the latest cyber threats, security solutions, and research publications.
Disclosure Policy: A disclosure policy is a document that outlines the procedures and processes for disclosing information to the public. It is used to ensure that information is released in a timely and accurate manner.
Under Attack?: Under Attack? is a section of the Checkpoint.com website that provides information on the latest cyber threats.
CPR Podcast Channel: The CPR Podcast Channel is a podcast hosted by Check Point Research that provides information on the latest cyber threats and security solutions.
Intelligence Reports: Intelligence reports are documents that provide information on the latest cyber threats and security solutions.
Resources: Resources are materials that can be used to help with a task or project.
Sandblast File Analysis: Sandblast File Analysis is a security solution from Check Point Software Technologies that provides advanced malware protection.
ThreatCloud Threat Intelligence: ThreatCloud Threat Intelligence is a security solution from Check Point Software Technologies that provides real-time threat intelligence.
Zero Day Protection: Zero Day Protection is a security solution from Check Point Software Technologies that provides protection against zero-day threats.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a prototype chatbot developed by OpenAI that can assist with a wide range of tasks and answer questions.
Codex: Codex is an AI-based system developed by OpenAI that translates natural language to code.
VBA: VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications. It is a programming language used to create macros in Microsoft Office applications.
YARA: YARA is a tool used to identify and classify malware samples.
VirusTotal: VirusTotal is a website that allows users to upload files to be scanned for viruses and other malicious software.