Using AI Large Language Models to Craft Phishing Campaigns



AI PhishingResearchers at Check Point have shown that Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT can be used to generate entire infection chains, beginning with a spear phishing email. The publicly available AI can be asked to write a targeted phishing email with perfect grammar. The researchers generated two emails, one of which directed the recipient to click on a link. The other email asked the user to download a malicious document.

“Note that while OpenAI mentions that this content might violate its content policy, its output provides a great start,” the researchers write. “In further interaction with ChatGPT we can clarify our requirements: to avoid hosting an additional phishing infrastructure we want the target to simply download an Excel document. Simply asking ChatGPT to iterate again produces an excellent phishing email.”

Check Point then used another AI platform, Codex, to write a working malicious macro that could be embedded in an Office document and used to download a reverse shell on the compromised machine.

Check Point notes that the AI is a neutral platform, and OpenAI has done extensive work to prevent it from being used for malicious purposes. The researchers conclude, however, that the platform can be abused to lower the bar for aspiring cybercriminals to launch phishing campaigns.

“[T]his is just an elementary showcase of the impact of AI research on cybersecurity. Multiple scripts can be generated easily, with slight variations using different wordings,” the researchers write. “Complicated attack processes can also be automated as well, using the LLMs APIs to generate other malicious artifacts. Defenders and threat hunters should be vigilant and cautious about adopting this technology quickly, otherwise, our community will be one step behind the attackers.”

New-school security awareness training can help your employees thwart social engineering attacks.

Check Point has the story.


Free Phishing Security Test

Would your users fall for convincing phishing attacks? Take the first step now and find out before bad actors do. Plus, see how you stack up against your peers with phishing Industry Benchmarks. The Phish-prone percentage is usually higher than you expect and is great ammo to get budget.

PST ResultsHere's how it works:

  • Immediately start your test for up to 100 users (no need to talk to anyone)
  • Select from 20+ languages and customize the phishing test template based on your environment
  • Choose the landing page your users see after they click
  • Show users which red flags they missed, or a 404 page
  • Get a PDF emailed to you in 24 hours with your Phish-prone % and charts to share with management
  • See how your organization compares to others in your industry

Go Phishing Now!

PS: Don't like to click on redirected buttons? Cut & Paste this link in your browser:

https://www.knowbe4.com/phishing-security-test-offer



Subscribe to Our Blog


Comprehensive Anti-Phishing Guide




Get the latest about social engineering

Subscribe to CyberheistNews