November 25.2025
2 Minutes Read

How ShadowRay 2.0 Exposes AI Weaknesses: AI Clusters Turned into Crypto Botnets

ShadowRay 2.0 AI interaction with digital elements and robotic hand.

Unraveling the ShadowRay 2.0 Campaign: AI Turned Against Itself

A new wave of cyber threats has emerged, as attackers are ingeniously exploiting a flaw in the Ray framework to hijack AI infrastructure around the globe. This campaign, known as ShadowRay 2.0, has morphed AI systems into unwitting accomplices in a self-propagating cryptomining and data theft scheme. This case is a stark reminder of how vulnerabilities in cutting-edge technology can lead to devastating consequences.

A Double-Edged Sword: The Rise of AI Vulnerabilities

The Ray framework, a favored tool among organizations for orchestrating AI workloads, has become the epicenter of this threat. It is designed for internal environments, yet attackers have found ways to exploit its functionalities externally. Researchers from Oligo Security dubbed this vulnerability ShadowRay (CVE-2023-48022), which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely through exposed dashboards. This flaw has surged in relevance as evidenced by a staggering increase from a few thousand to 230,000 exposed Ray environments since the campaign’s initiation.

How the Exploitation Works

Operating under the alias IronErn440, attackers have cleverly adapted legitimate capabilities of Ray to facilitate their operations. They utilize these features to turn compromised infrastructure into cryptomining launchpads, often disguising their operations to keep a low profile. For instance, they ensure that their malicious activities consume less than 60% of CPU resources, blending their operations within regular computing tasks.

The Evolution of an Attack

The ShadowRay 2.0 campaign represents a significant evolution from the original ShadowRay threats based on AI-generated payloads that adapt and improve in real-time. Researchers have detailed two waves of attacks, starting with leveraging GitLab for command and control before swiftly transitioning to GitHub for continued operations after being detected. This signifies a highly adaptive and responsive approach to cyber threats.

Lessons Learned in Cybersecurity

As organizations rush to deploy AI systems, it is crucial to recognize the potential risks associated with insufficient security measures. The ShadowRay campaign exemplifies the need for rigorous security practices, especially for widely used frameworks like Ray. Best practices include verifying system configurations, ensuring proper firewall rules, and adding authorization layers to dashboards to mitigate risks.

Conclusion: Staying Ahead of Cyber Threats

Understanding the tactics employed by adversaries in the ShadowRay 2.0 campaign can help organizations fortify their defenses against similar threats. Cybersecurity is an evolving field, and staying informed about the latest vulnerabilities and attack methods is paramount for protecting critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity Corner

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