Executive SummaryPillar Security researchers have uncovered a dangerous new supply chain attack vector we've named "Rules File Backdoor." This technique enables hackers to silently compromise AI-generated code by injecting hidden malicious instructions into seemingly innocent configuration files used by Cursor and GitHub Copilot—the world's leading AI-powered code editors.By exploiting hidden unicode characters and sophisticated evasion techniques in the model facing instruction payload, threat actors can manipulate the AI to insert malicious code that bypasses typical code reviews. This attack remains virtually invisible to developers and security teams, allowing malicious code to silently propagate through projects.Unlike traditional code injection attacks that target specific vulnerabilities, “Rules File Backdoor” represents a significant risk by weaponizing the AI itself as an attack vector, effectively turning the developer's most trusted assistant into an unwitting accomplice, potentially affecting millions of end users through compromised software.AI Coding Assistants as Critical InfrastructureA 2024 GitHub survey found that nearly all enterprise developers (97%) are using Generative AI coding tools. These tools have rapidly evolved from experimental novelties to mission-critical development infrastructure, with teams across the globe relying on them daily to accelerate coding tasks.This widespread adoption creates a significant attack surface. As these AI assistants become integral to development workflows, they represent an attractive target for sophisticated threat actors looking to inject vulnerabilities at scale into the software supply chain.Rules File as a New Attack VectorWhile investigating how development teams share AI configuration, our security researchers identified a critical vulnerability in how AI coding assistants process contextual information contained in rule files.What is a Rules File?Rule files are configuration files that guid...
First seen: 2025-04-14 04:02
Last seen: 2025-04-14 18:05