Cisco Talos has published research describing a new methodology for integrating local AI agents directly with traditional binary analysis tools, using the VB6 disassembler vbdec as a proof of concept. The approach sidesteps the common pattern of bolting AI onto existing software and instead exposes the disassembler’s parsed data through a live Component Object Model (COM) interface, turning a static viewer into an interactive, queryable data server.

How It Works

Rather than requiring analysts to navigate a graphical interface manually, the COM layer allows a locally running AI agent to accept natural language prompts and translate them into automated disassembly tasks. Use cases demonstrated include decompiling functions and building call graphs on demand, effectively replacing repetitive manual workflows with agent-driven automation.

The architecture carries a notable privacy benefit: because both the AI agent and the disassembler operate on the same local machine, sensitive binaries are never transmitted to an external service or cloud endpoint. This addresses a significant barrier to AI adoption in environments where strict data-handling requirements apply.

Broader Implications for Security Tooling

Talos frames the technique as a general architectural principle rather than a vbdec-specific feature. Any analysis tool that holds structured data behind a GUI can, in theory, be similarly instrumented through COM or other inter-process communication (IPC) protocols to support agentic automation. The researchers argue this allows teams to build custom workflows immediately, without waiting for vendors to ship new features.

Recommendations

  • Tool developers should expose application data through external scripting interfaces such as COM or equivalent IPC mechanisms.
  • Teams analyzing VB6 binaries can enable remote scripting in vbdec and direct a local AI agent at the provided operator briefing to begin automating tasks.
  • Security teams should adopt this paradigm to offload repetitive, high-volume grunt work to agents, reserving analyst attention for higher-order interpretation and decision-making.

Other Notable Stories This Week

In brief, several other stories surfaced in the Talos weekly roundup worth flagging for security teams:

  • ShinyHunters and the Council of Europe: The threat actor added the Council of Europe to its Tor-based leak site, claiming to hold more than 297 GB of stolen data.
  • Fortinet credential harvesting: A large-scale espionage operation has reportedly compromised more than 30,000 internet-facing Fortinet firewalls and VPN gateways across nearly 200 countries.
  • Fileless Phantom Stealer: A memory-resident infostealer targeting browser credentials has been identified, incorporating multiple anti-analysis techniques to evade detection.
  • FIFA World Cup stream vulnerability: A researcher reported gaining full control over internal FIFA TV streams due to a basic security flaw in internal platforms.
  • FBI Kinetic Cyber Range: The FBI’s purpose-built simulated town, opened in February 2025, is now operational for practicing real-world cyberattack scenarios against physical infrastructure.