# Synthetic Cancer -- Augmenting Worms with LLMs

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.19570 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.19570/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 0 of its 3 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 27 Jun 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Large Language Model (LLM) for Software Security: Code Analysis, Malware Analysis, Reverse Engineering](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.07137/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

With increasingly sophisticated large language models (LLMs), the potential for abuse rises drastically. As a submission to the Swiss AI Safety Prize, we present a novel type of metamorphic malware leveraging LLMs for two key processes. First, LLMs are used for automatic code rewriting to evade signature-based detection by antimalware programs. The malware then spreads its copies via email by utilizing an LLM to socially engineer email replies to encourage recipients to execute the attached malware. Our submission includes a functional minimal prototype, highlighting the risks that LLMs pose for cybersecurity and underscoring the need for further research into intelligent malware.