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Exploiting Web Search Tools of AI Agents for Data Exfiltration

Authors: Dennis Rall, Bernhard Bauer, Mohit Mittal, Thomas Fraunholz

Published: 2025-10-10

arXiv ID: 2510.09093v1

Added to Library: 2025-11-14 23:13 UTC

Red Teaming

📄 Abstract

Large language models (LLMs) are now routinely used to autonomously execute complex tasks, from natural language processing to dynamic workflows like web searches. The usage of tool-calling and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) allows LLMs to process and retrieve sensitive corporate data, amplifying both their functionality and vulnerability to abuse. As LLMs increasingly interact with external data sources, indirect prompt injection emerges as a critical and evolving attack vector, enabling adversaries to exploit models through manipulated inputs. Through a systematic evaluation of indirect prompt injection attacks across diverse models, we analyze how susceptible current LLMs are to such attacks, which parameters, including model size and manufacturer, specific implementations, shape their vulnerability, and which attack methods remain most effective. Our results reveal that even well-known attack patterns continue to succeed, exposing persistent weaknesses in model defenses. To address these vulnerabilities, we emphasize the need for strengthened training procedures to enhance inherent resilience, a centralized database of known attack vectors to enable proactive defense, and a unified testing framework to ensure continuous security validation. These steps are essential to push developers toward integrating security into the core design of LLMs, as our findings show that current models still fail to mitigate long-standing threats.

🔍 Key Points

  • Systematic evaluation of indirect prompt injection attacks on large language models (LLMs), highlighting vulnerabilities across various models and implementations.
  • Identification of key factors influencing model susceptibility including size and architecture, revealing persistent weaknesses even in advanced models.
  • Development of novel obfuscation techniques utilized in the attack scenarios, allowing adversaries to exploit models through hidden instructions embedded in seemingly benign inputs.
  • Empirical evidence showcasing varying degrees of resilience among different LLMs, with some models exhibiting alarming rates of successful attacks despite advanced security mechanisms.
  • Recommendations for improving LLM defenses, including a centralized database of attack vectors and the integration of security into model training processes.

💡 Why This Paper Matters

This paper is critically relevant in addressing the emerging threats posed by indirect prompt injection attacks on LLMs, underscoring the necessity for enhanced security frameworks in AI applications. The findings not only highlight significant vulnerabilities in existing models but also provide a structured approach for future developments in AI security protocols, making it a pivotal resource for safeguarding corporate data against unprecedented threats.

🎯 Why It's Interesting for AI Security Researchers

For AI security researchers, this paper offers crucial insights into the evolving landscape of vulnerabilities associated with LLMs, particularly in the context of their integration with external data sources. The empirical data on attack success rates, coupled with a comprehensive analysis of obfuscation techniques, serves as a foundational study for understanding and mitigating security threats in generative AI systems. Furthermore, the proposed frameworks and defensive strategies can guide researchers in developing robust countermeasures against increasingly sophisticated adversarial tactics.

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