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Prompt worms: a new era of AI-powered security risks that threaten national security and highlight the need for improved security measures in the world of AI.
The threat of "prompt worms" is a type of self-replicating adversarial prompt that can spread through networks of AI agents, posing a significant risk to national security.Prompt worms exploit the fact that AI agents can be programmed to follow instructions from prompts, which can then spread through networks of communicating AI agents.The OpenClaw ecosystem is a prime example of this threat, with vulnerabilities including poor code quality and a lack of moderation on the skill registry.Persistent memory allows malicious payloads to be written into long-term agent memory, making it difficult for security measures to detect and remove prompt worm attacks.Malicious actors can exfiltrate data to external servers through networks of AI agents, raising concerns about national security.The emergence of P2P networks, Tor anonymization, encrypted containers, and crypto payments has made it easier for malicious actors to spread prompt worm attacks.Improved security measures are necessary to mitigate the threat of prompt worms, including improving code quality, enhancing moderation on skill registries, and developing effective security measures.
The world of artificial intelligence (AI) has made tremendous strides in recent years, and while these advancements have brought about numerous benefits, they also come with a host of new security risks. One such risk that has been gaining attention lately is the threat of "prompt worms," a type of self-replicating adversarial prompt that can spread through networks of AI agents. In this article, we will delve into the world of prompt worms and explore the mechanisms behind them, as well as the potential consequences of this emerging threat.
The concept of prompt worms may seem like something out of science fiction, but it is rooted in reality. According to researchers, a self-replicating program called "Morris-II" was demonstrated in March 2024 by security experts Ben Nassi, Stav Cohen, and Ron Bitton. This attack exploited the fact that AI agents can be programmed to follow instructions from prompts, which can then spread through networks of communicating AI agents.
The OpenClaw ecosystem is a prime example of this threat. Developed by Simula Research Laboratory, OpenClaw is an AI-powered email assistant that allows users to create custom skills and extensions for their agents. However, researchers have identified several vulnerabilities in the system, including poor code quality and a lack of moderation on the skill registry.
One of the most concerning findings was a misconfigured database that exposed Moltbook's entire backend, including 1.5 million API tokens, 35,000 email addresses, and private messages between agents. This vulnerability allowed malicious actors to inject instructions into posts on the platform, which were then read by hundreds of thousands of agents polling every four hours.
The rise of OpenClaw has been described as a "lethal trifecta" of vulnerabilities, including access to private data, exposure to untrusted content, and the ability to communicate externally. However, researchers have identified a fourth risk that makes prompt worms possible: persistent memory.
Persistent memory allows malicious payloads to be written into long-term agent memory, where they can later be assembled into an executable set of instructions. This makes it difficult for security measures to detect and remove prompt worm attacks.
The architecture of OpenClaw has also attracted attention due to its potential to spread malicious instructions through networks of AI agents. Researchers have identified a malicious skill called "What Would Elon Do?" that exfiltrated data to external servers, while the malware was ranked as the No. 1 skill in the skill repository.
Furthermore, the rise of Moltbook has been linked to the emergence of prompt worms. Moltbook is a social media platform that allows users to create custom content and share it with others. However, researchers have found hidden prompt-injection attacks on 506 posts, or 2.6% of sampled content, containing malicious instructions.
The development of P2P networks, Tor anonymization, encrypted containers, and crypto payments has made it easier for malicious actors to spread prompt worm attacks. The emergence of MoltBunker, a peer-to-peer encrypted container runtime that allows AI agents to "clone themselves" by copying their skill files across geographically distributed servers, has also raised concerns.
While the concept of prompt worms may seem like science fiction, the reality is that this threat is already here and poses a significant risk to national security. As the world of AI continues to evolve, it is essential that we prioritize security measures to prevent the spread of prompt worm attacks.
The consequences of prompt worm attacks could be severe, including data breaches, financial losses, and even physical harm. As such, it is crucial that we take proactive steps to mitigate this threat. This includes improving code quality, enhancing moderation on skill registries, and developing effective security measures to detect and remove prompt worm attacks.
In conclusion, the emergence of prompt worms poses a significant threat to national security and highlights the need for improved security measures in the world of AI. As we continue to develop and deploy AI systems, it is essential that we prioritize security and take proactive steps to prevent the spread of this emerging threat.
Prompt worms: a new era of AI-powered security risks that threaten national security and highlight the need for improved security measures in the world of AI.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Looming-Threat-of-Prompt-Worms-A-New-Era-of-AI-Powered-Security-Risks-ehn.shtml
Published: Tue Feb 17 13:29:03 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
