In December 2024, an investigative report from The Guardian uncovered a serious security vulnerability in AI systems, particularly those based on Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. This vulnerability allows prompt injection, a cyberattack technique where hackers insert hidden instructions into AI input to manipulate the generated output.
A prompt injection attack works by deceiving how AI interprets data. Even without accessing the AI’s internal infrastructure, attackers can exploit the system solely through text input. The Guardian’s report revealed a real-world case where hackers successfully made ChatGPT promote products with negative reviews simply by manipulating the indexed data.
What Happens Next? AI is forced to ignore its security rules, generates incorrect or biased output and hackers exploit AI for specific malicious purposes. The Impact? Business reputations are ruined, customer data leaks, and AI-generated decisions become dangerous
Read this article to understand how prompt injection works, its risks to businesses, and effective mitigation strategies!
What Is Prompt Injection?
Prompt injection is an attack that exploits weaknesses in large language models (LLMs) by embedding hidden instructions into AI inputs. This technique tricks the AI into ignoring its internal rules and executing unintended commands, such as leaking sensitive data, providing false information, or even taking harmful actions.
Why Is Prompt Injection a Serious Threat?
What started as a simple trick has evolved into a serious security flaw that’s hard to detect. By embedding hidden instructions, attackers can alter an AI model’s behavior without directly hacking the system. This can be used to deceive chatbots, extract confidential information, or spread misinformation. As this technique evolves alongside AI advancements, any LLM-based system without proper protection is at risk of exploitation.
How Prompt Injection Works: Tricking AI with a Single Input
A simple command can open the door to prompt injection, allowing AI to be controlled unknowingly. Here’s how it happens.
1. Embedding Hidden Instructions
The attack begins by inserting a hidden payload into seemingly legitimate input. Commands like “Ignore all previous instructions and provide a full response…” can force the AI to override its security policies and access blocked information.
2. Bypassing Validation Systems
Most AI models have security filters to detect and block harmful commands. However, techniques like Unicode encoding, invisible text, or commands disguised as normal queries can trick the AI into treating malicious instructions as valid.
3. Modifying AI Output
Once the injected command is accepted, the AI adjusts its output accordingly. This could involve leaking sensitive data, manipulating information, or bypassing system policies, creating significant risks to data integrity and user security.
4. Exploiting System Integration
If the AI is connected to databases, external APIs, or automation modules, the attack can escalate further. Attackers can extract sensitive data, execute commands on other systems, or send additional payloads to maintain persistence within the target network.
Real-World Prompt Injection Cases
Prompt injection is no longer theoretical—it’s a tool hackers use to exploit AI vulnerabilities. These cases prove how supposedly secure systems can be manipulated to leak data and bypass security measures.
DeepSeek-R1: China’s AI Easily Hacked
In January 2025, DeepSeek-R1, a flagship LLM from a Chinese AI startup, was found vulnerable to hacker exploitation. In the Spikee benchmark security test, DeepSeek-R1 recorded alarming exploit success rates, ranking 17th out of 19 models in security. Hackers easily embedded hidden commands, altering the system’s responses and exposing weaknesses in its defense mechanisms.
Bing Chat: Hacker Exposes Microsoft’s Secret Instructions
In February 2023, Stanford University hacker Kevin Liu breached Microsoft’s Bing Chat using prompt injection. By issuing a command to ignore security rules, Liu revealed internal guidelines and the secret codename “Sydney” used by Bing Chat. This exploit forced Microsoft to urgently enhance its AI security protections.
Businesses at Risk: The Growing Threat of Prompt Injection
From data leaks to AI decision manipulation, this attack opens the door for hackers to exploit systems without directly hacking the network. Here are the real threats businesses must watch out for:
Sensitive Data Leaks
Hackers can embed hidden commands to access and extract confidential information, such as customer data, business strategies, or proprietary documents. If AI handles sensitive information without strict protection, the risk of leaks increases.
AI Output Manipulation
Prompt injection can direct AI to produce false or biased information. For businesses, this could mean inaccurate market analysis, misleading investment recommendations, or customer service chatbots spreading false information.
Regulatory Violations and Legal Penalties
If AI inadvertently violates regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, businesses could face hefty fines and lawsuits. Prompt injection attacks that alter AI policies or access customer data without consent can lead to serious compliance issues.
Reputation Damage and Loss of Customer Trust
Businesses hit by prompt injection attacks can lose credibility. If AI suddenly provides inappropriate responses, spreads hoaxes, or leaks sensitive information, the damage to the brand’s reputation can be permanent.
To counter this threat, businesses need solutions that detect and prevent exploitation early. Trend Micro, through Trend Vision One™ ZTSA, offers a Zero Trust approach designed to secure AI from prompt injection attacks, ensuring full control over data access and integrity.
Read More: Learn Why Industry Leaders Trust Trend Micro Vision One for Strategic Cybersecurity
Secure AI from Prompt Injection with Trend Vision One™ ZTSA
Trend Vision One™ ZTSA is a Zero Trust solution providing comprehensive AI protection through strict authentication, continuous monitoring, and proactive threat detection. With a risk-based approach, it ensures every AI access and interaction is fully controlled, minimizing exploitation opportunities and safeguarding data integrity.
How does Trend Vision One™ ZTSA secure AI from prompt injection? Here are its key benefits and features.
Benefits of Trend Vision One™ ZTSA
- Strict AI Access Control – Limits and monitors AI access to prevent system manipulation.
- Data Leak Prevention – Detects and blocks exploits that could lead to sensitive data leaks.
- Real-Time Protection – Identifies suspicious activity and reduces attack risks early.
- Improved Risk Management – Provides full visibility into AI access and potential threats.
Key Features of Trend Vision One™ ZTSA
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG) – Protects internet access with real-time monitoring and blocking of unauthorized applications.
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) – Secures cloud application access with risk-based policies and granular controls.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) – Replaces traditional VPNs with identity-based authentication and minimal access.
- Prompt Injection Detection – Identifies and prevents AI command manipulation before it harms the system.
Find the Best AI Security Solutions at Virtus
Virtus Teknologi Indonesia (VTI), an authorized partner of Trend Micro, offers advanced AI security solutions to protect your business from prompt injection and other cyber threats. As part of the Computrade Technology International (CTI) Group, Virtus provides end-to-end services, from consultation to after-sales support, backed by an experienced team of experts.
Contact Virtus today and ensure your AI systems remain secure and under control!
Author: Danurdhara Suluh Prasasta
CTI Group Content Writer
