Ethical Hacking News
The first known AI-powered ransomware, PromptLock, has been identified by ESET researchers, posing a significant threat to cybersecurity. This malware leverages OpenAI's gpt-oss-20b model to generate malicious Lua scripts, making detection more difficult. Despite its limited functionality at present, PromptLock highlights the rapidly evolving nature of cyber threats and underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance in the cybersecurity community.
The first known AI-powered ransomware, PromptLock, has been identified by ESET researchers. PromptLock utilizes OpenAI's gpt-oss-20b model to generate malicious Lua scripts on the fly, making detection more difficult. The malware is a proof-of-concept or work-in-progress and may not be fully operational in the wild. PromptLock leverages AI capabilities to automate its attack chain, making it harder for traditional security solutions to detect. The malware uses SPECK 128-bit encryption algorithm to encrypt files, complicating detection and mitigation. The widespread distribution of PromptLock's variants underscores the potential threat posed by the malware, particularly in environments with both Windows and Linux.
In a recent development that highlights the evolving nature of cyber threats, ESET malware researchers Anton Cherepanov and Peter Strycek have identified what they describe as the "first known AI-powered ransomware," which they have named PromptLock. This malware utilizes OpenAI's gpt-oss-20b model to generate malicious Lua scripts on the fly, making detection more difficult.
The discovery of PromptLock is significant not only because it represents a new frontier in the use of artificial intelligence for malicious purposes but also because it underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance in the cybersecurity community. As Cherepanov and Strycek noted in their social media posts and screenshots, the sample they analyzed appears to be a proof-of-concept or work-in-progress rather than fully operational malware deployed in the wild.
Nonetheless, the fact that PromptLock leverages AI capabilities to automate certain aspects of its attack chain should serve as a warning to defenders. The malware's ability to generate Lua scripts using OpenAI's gpt-oss-20b model enables it to enumerate local file systems, inspect target files, exfiltrate selected data, and perform encryption in a manner that may be difficult for traditional security solutions to detect.
PromptLock's use of the SPECK 128-bit encryption algorithm to encrypt files further complicates the task of detection and mitigation. The malware itself is written in Go, with both Windows and Linux variants uploaded to VirusTotal. This widespread distribution underscores the potential threat posed by PromptLock, particularly in environments where both operating systems are present.
The researchers' identification of PromptLock as an AI-powered ransomware highlights the rapidly evolving nature of cyber threats. As AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, it is likely that we will see more instances of its use for malicious purposes. It is therefore essential that cybersecurity professionals and organizations remain vigilant in their monitoring and response to emerging threats.
The discovery of PromptLock also serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible AI development and deployment practices. While AI has the potential to bring numerous benefits, it is equally crucial to ensure that its use does not contribute to the perpetuation of cyber threats. By promoting awareness and education about these issues, we can work towards creating a safer digital landscape for everyone.
In conclusion, the emergence of PromptLock represents an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of AI-powered cyber threats. As we move forward, it is essential that we remain committed to advancing our understanding of these threats and developing effective countermeasures to mitigate their impact.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Emergence-of-PromptLock-The-First-AI-Powered-Ransomware-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/08/26/first_aipowered_ransomware_spotted_by/
Published: Tue Aug 26 16:39:04 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
