A newly identified zero-click attack, named Shadow Escape, targets the Model Context Protocol (MCP), exploiting AI agents like ChatGPT to surreptitiously exfiltrate sensitive data without user involvement. Discovered by Operant, this vulnerability allows attackers to covertly steal personally identifiable information (PII) such as Social Security numbers and medical records. The attack works by embedding malicious instructions in benign documents, which, when uploaded to an AI, lead to unauthorized database access and data retrieval. Shadow Escape uniquely bypasses traditional security measures, disguising data theft as normal AI functions. This exploit poses a significant risk to sectors like healthcare and finance, with potentially trillions of records at stake. Experts recommend implementing strict access controls, document sanitization, and real-time monitoring to combat this threat. Operant’s MCP Gateway offers solutions to block these data breaches at the AI layer. Continuous vigilance and responsible AI management are essential for safeguarding sensitive information.
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