A critical security flaw in three popular AI agent platforms allows attackers to execute arbitrary code (RCE) by injecting arguments through seemingly harmless prompts, bypassing human approval safeguards. Trail of Bits highlights how these vulnerabilities exploit pre-approved system commands, such as find, grep, and git, which are designed for efficiency but inadvertently create an attack surface.
Lack of validation for user-provided argument flags increases risk, as demonstrated in a CLI-based agent where attackers used the -exec flag to execute unauthorized commands. Attack patterns, including malicious flag appending, leverage existing command structures, exemplifying the dangers of “living off the land” tactics.
To mitigate risks, experts recommend sandboxing via containers and OS-level isolation. Developers should minimize allowlists, implement logging, and add human oversight. Comprehensive audits using resources from GTFOBins and LOLBAS are essential as AI systems evolve. For cybersecurity updates, follow us on Google News, LinkedIn, and X.
