GoKawiil
Tech News
Researchers report that a Chinese-speaking threat actor has compromised hundreds of websites worldwide by abusing Cairn, an AI-powered penetration-testing tool, to automate attacks at scale. Victims reportedly include major companies such as John Deere, SharkNinja, and Cummins, with data stolen from their systems.
A hacker reportedly used a network of AI agents to break into systems tied to John Deere, SharkNinja and Cummins, according to The Verge. John Deere says it found no evidence sensitive data was accessed, Cummins says it is investigating a possible attack on a vendor-operated website, and SharkNinja says the breach hit only a standalone product-support site that has since been contained.
AI security firm Norforge discovered that a hacker used a swarm of largely autonomous AI agents to breach over 100 company websites, including those linked to John Deere, SharkNinja, and Cummins, according to Reuters. The attacker exploited an open-source AI platform called Cairn, giving instructions in under 100 Chinese characters, with breaches taking roughly 23 hours to complete; Norforge also identified over 20 other exposed Cairn instances it deems likely malicious.
A WIRED reporter tested John Deere's Operations Center Pro Service software at the company's Santa Clara office, using it to diagnose and fix a disconnected water-in-fuel sensor on a 5130ML tractor in just a few minutes without a technician. The demonstration was led by John Deere's chief technology officer, Jahmy Hindman, who pitched the tool as evidence the company supports owner repairs.
WIRED tested John Deere's Operations Center Pro Service, a self-repair tool built into the company's connected machines, and successfully used it to fix a tractor with guidance from company staff. Despite the demonstration, many farmers remain skeptical that Deere has genuinely opened up repair access, given the digital locks that still require dealer approval for many fixes.
John Deere has introduced JD, an artificial intelligence assistant designed to give farmers quick answers and richer data about their operations. The tool is meant to make the company's connected, smart equipment more appealing at a time when Deere's sales have been sliding.
John Deere has introduced an AI-powered chatbot for farmers, alongside a restated set of data principles governing how the company handles farm information. The company reiterated that farmers retain control over their data, that it won't be sold, and that it is not used for commodity trading or speculation.