AI-powered hacking tools enabled a likely single attacker to breach multiple South Korean banks

CrowdStrike reported that a suspected Chinese-speaking attacker breached multiple South Korean financial institutions. At Shinhan Bank alone, over 25,000 customer records were stolen. The attacker utilized ARTEX, an open-source tool that employs AI models like DeepSeek and GLM-5.3 for automated penetration testing. This incident illustrates how AI tools can enable a single individual to execute massive breaches. ARTEX leverages advanced techniques that allow attackers to carry out complex assaults without the need for large teams. Such attacks reflect the evolving tactics of cyber intrusions in the digital age.