Washington, November 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that cybercriminals are using an artificial intelligence-assisted security testing tool to speed up attacks on organisations worldwide, with some intrusions reportedly reaching privileged access in less than three hours.
In an alert issued on Friday, the bureau said malicious actors had been using the open-source framework, known as ARTEX, since at least August to target organisations across sectors such as finance, government, technology, defence, energy and healthcare.
According to the FBI, the tool can automate multiple stages of a cyber intrusion, from identifying potential targets to preparing or carrying out data theft. The increased speed of these operations can leave organisations with less time to detect suspicious activity and respond effectively.
The alert highlighted cases in which intrusions reportedly progressed from initial targeting to privileged access in under three hours.
The FBI said ARTEX was originally developed for authorised security testing. However, its developer removed the original online repository in October following reports of malicious use. Copies and modified versions of the framework continued to remain available, the bureau added.
The agency cautioned that the tool could reduce the technical expertise required to conduct complex cyber operations and enable attackers to target multiple organisations simultaneously.
Among the key areas of concern identified by the FBI are internet-facing applications, cloud infrastructure and systems connected to suppliers or business partners.
The warning underscores the growing challenge posed by AI-assisted tools that can help malicious actors automate attacks and exploit security weaknesses at greater speed.
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