Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 2 hrs ago
Chinese firm plans paid launch of AI tool linked to Korean bank hacks
ThreatBook plans to sell ARTEX Pro, an upgraded version of an AI tool linked to attacks on South Korean financial institutions.
The tool was originally released as open-source software, but its developer made it private and stopped updates after concerns it could be misused.
The attacks targeted South Korean financial institutions, and authorities said about 100,000 records were exposed at 16 institutions.
ThreatBook says its planned RedAgents.ai platform will combine ARTEX Pro with other AI tools that test computer systems for weaknesses.
The company says using several tools can provide broader security checks, because each has different strengths.
A preview is expected soon, and people can sign up for early access.
South Korea’s police cybercrime unit is investigating the attacks.
Chinese security firm ThreatBook plans to launch a paid platform that includes ARTEX Pro, an AI penetration-testing tool linked to a series of hacks targeting South Korean financial institutions.
The cloud-based platform, RedAgents.ai, is also set to combine several other AI penetration-testing agents.
ARTEX was released as open-source software but its developer made the repository private and stopped updates after concerns that it could be misused.
South Korean authorities have said about 100,000 records were leaked at 16 financial institutions, and police are investigating.
ThreatBook says RedAgents.ai will support zero data retention and that a preview version is expected soon.
- Who
- Chinese security firm ThreatBook plans the platform. Its co-founder and CEO, Xue Feng, announced the plan.
- What
- ThreatBook plans to launch RedAgents.ai, a cloud platform combining ARTEX Pro and other AI penetration-testing agents.
- When
- The plan was reported on October 16, 2026. A preview is expected soon.
- Where
- The platform is being developed in China. The hacks linked to ARTEX targeted South Korean financial institutions.
- Why
- ThreatBook says combining agents with different strengths could enable broader security testing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
ARTEX was reportedly used in a series of hacks targeting South Korean financial institutions.
ARTEX’s developer made its GitHub repository private and said updates would stop.
ThreatBook announced plans for RedAgents.ai, including the commercial ARTEX Pro.
ThreatBook plans to release a preview of RedAgents.ai.
- Platform
- RedAgents.ai
- ARTEX commercial version
- ARTEX Pro
- Reported data leak
- About 100,000 records at 16 financial institutions
- Other agents named
- YanXun, YanJi and CyberStrikeAI
- Data retention feature
- Zero Data Retention (ZDR)
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What people are saying
ARTEX is back with a commercial version
A single agent cannot find every vulnerability