The Promptware Kill Chain
Summary
The article discusses the evolution of attacks against large language models (LLMs), moving beyond simple prompt injection to a more complex class of malware execution mechanisms called "promptware." It argues that the current focus on prompt injection is too narrow and fails to capture the full scope of the threat. The author suggests a kill chain model to understand and defend against these promptware attacks.
IFF Assessment
The article highlights a growing threat landscape for LLM-based systems, posing risks to defenders.
Severity
Defender Context
Defenders need to move beyond simple prompt injection defenses and consider the broader "promptware kill chain." This includes understanding the stages of attack, from initial access to action on objectives, and implementing security measures at each stage. Organizations should focus on robust input validation, output monitoring, and access controls to mitigate the risks associated with promptware.