AI is no longer just a tool for security teams; it’s also a weapon for cybercriminals. With the ability to generate sophisticated malware in seconds, AI has lowered the barrier to entry for attackers. Even those with minimal technical skills can now create evasive threats, accelerating the speed and scale of cyberattacks.

At SafeBreach Labs, we utilize AI to generate real-world threats that our customers can run in their own environments to validate their security controls. In the last year, we’ve introduced AI-generated malware that includes AI-generated ransomware, infostealers, and spyware.

Below, we’ll discuss why AI-generated cyber attacks have shifted the threat landscape and how the SafeBreach platform can help organizations more proactively assess their ability to defend against this rapidly evolving threat vector.

Why AI-Generated Attacks Are So Dangerous

Traditional security solutions rely on Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)—things like known malicious hashes, domains, or signatures—to detect threats. AI-generated attacks bypass this model entirely, making them significantly harder to detect and prevent.

Instead of using pre-existing malware, AI-generated threats are behavior-based, meaning:

• EDR solutions and traditional detection tools might fail because AI-generated malware doesn’t have predefined signatures or hashes.
• Threat intelligence feeds won’t flag them because they don’t match known attack patterns.
• AI-generated malware can actively learn and adapt—an AI-powered attack can probe security controls, analyze their responses, and refine itself in real time to evade detection.

This shift forces security teams to think differently. If attacks can’t be stopped by recognizing malicious files, organizations must test their defenses against the actual behaviors and techniques (TTPs) used in AI-powered attacks.

How AI is Changing the Threat Landscape

Traditionally, malware creation required advanced coding skills, access to underground forums, and time to develop exploits. AI has changed the game.

With tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, attackers can input structured prompts and generate fully functional malware—including executable files that can steal data, encrypt systems, or spy on users. What once required years of expertise can now be done in minutes.

This fundamentally shifts the risk landscape with:

• More accessible attacks. Even low-skill actors can generate malware.
• Faster evolution. AI enables rapid variations of attack techniques.
• Increased attack volume. AI lowers the barrier to entry for attackers, leading to a surge in the number of attacks and malware variants.

Testing Readiness with SafeBreach AI-Generated Attack Scenarios

At SafeBreach, we have taken a proactive approach by leveraging AI to craft attack scenarios that mimic real-world AI-generated threats. By adding these scenarios to the SafeBreach Hacker’s Playbook, security teams can validate their defenses against these evolving attack methods.

What’s New

1. AI-Generated Ransomware challenges your ability to detect and mitigate an AI-created encryption attack before critical data is locked down. This scenario features AI-generated malware designed to mimic real-world ransomware behavior, including file encryption, host-level actions, malware transfer, and email-based delivery methods. Running this attack helps you assess whether your security controls can effectively prevent, detect, and respond to an AI-crafted ransomware threat.
   
2. AI-Generated Infostealer evaluates how well your defenses prevent AI-driven data exfiltration. This scenario includes multiple AI-generated infostealer attacks that follow predefined paths to extract sensitive files from targeted locations. Some variants focus on harvesting credentials and browser-stored information, while others attempt to steal personal or corporate data. By running this scenario, you can measure your security stack’s ability to identify and block AI-enhanced data theft techniques.
3. AI-Generated Spyware (our newest offering) puts your defenses to the test against AI-assisted espionage tactics. This scenario deploys an AI-generated spyware payload capable of capturing screenshots, logging keystrokes, and recording microphone input—simulating real-world surveillance threats. To ensure authenticity, the attack requires an active user session at execution, replicating the conditions necessary for effective spyware activity. Running this scenario allows you to assess your ability to detect and neutralize stealthy AI-powered surveillance before sensitive information is compromised.

Why AI-Generated Scenarios Matter

The SafeBreach Labs team actively monitors the hacker underground, sources intelligence feeds, and conducts original research to ensure the SafeBreach Hacker’s Playbook provides our customers with the most comprehensive, up-to-date collection of attack methods. 

“As part of our ongoing research, we have seen a startling increase in the number of AI-generated attacks being used in the wild,” said SafeBreach VP of Research Tomer Bar. “Organizations cannot afford to stay on the sidelines when it comes to this growing threat vector—they must be proactive in understanding their level of readiness against AI-generated attacks and take immediate action to shore up gaps in security control coverage. The AI-generated attack scenarios we’ve added to the platform over the last year are aimed at helping our customers do just that.” 

Specifically, SafeBreach’s AI-generated scenarios help organizations answer several key questions when it comes to their attack readiness, including:

• Is your security stack equipped to identify and mitigate threats posed by AI-driven malware?
• Do your threat intelligence, EDR, and XDR solutions provide real protection?
• Are your security teams prepared to respond to AI-enhanced threats?

Staying Ahead in the AI-Driven Cyber Arms Race

Cybercriminals are already using AI to automate, adapt, and evade detection faster than ever before. Security teams can’t afford to play catch-up.

By using the SafeBreach platform to proactively test against AI-generated threats, organizations can:

1. Validate their defenses against AI-powered malware.
2. Strengthen detection and response mechanisms before a real incident occurs.
3. Gain an edge over adversaries leveraging AI for cybercrime.

At SafeBreach, we help security teams stay ahead of emerging threats by providing continuous security validation. 

AI-generated malware is here. The question is: Are you ready for it? Schedule a customized demo of SafeBreach’s AI-generated attack scenarios to find out.