The Future of AI: Understanding Rogue AI and Cybersecurity Risks

Introducing MITRE ATLAS

If you’re diving into the world of cyber-threat intelligence, you’ve likely encountered MITRE’s tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). These are essential tools for standardizing how we analyze each step in the cyber kill chain, allowing researchers to pinpoint specific campaigns. But did you know that MITRE has extended its ATT&CK framework to include AI systems? Enter MITRE ATLAS, a resource designed to enhance our understanding of the cyber risks associated with artificial intelligence.

While ATLAS shines a light on various TTPs linked to AI, it doesn’t explicitly tackle the concept of Rogue AI. However, TTPs such as Prompt Injection, Jailbreak, and Model Poisoning can be crucial in subverting AI systems, potentially giving rise to Rogue AI behaviors. As we navigate this complex landscape, it’s important to acknowledge that these subverted AI systems act as their own TTPs, capable of executing common cyber tactics—from Reconnaissance to Execution.

Right now, the unfortunate reality is that only sophisticated actors can currently exploit AI systems to achieve their aims. This raises alarm bells—especially with threats growing more sophisticated by the day.

The Emergence of Malicious Rogue AI

While MITRE ATLAS and ATT&CK address subverted AI systems, there’s still a gap when it comes to Malicious Rogue AI. Although there are currently no reported incidents of malicious AI being installed in target environments, it’s only a matter of time. As organizations increasingly adopt agentic AI, it becomes a playground for threat actors. Imagine AI being used maliciously, much like deploying malware at scale—potentially akin to an AI botnet, complete with proxies.

Diving Into MIT’s AI Risk Repository

On the bright side, MIT has developed a risk repository housing an extensive database filled with AI risks and an overview of the latest literature on the subject. This repository serves as a valuable community resource, presenting a perspective on AI risks that’s comprehensive and nuanced. One of the key features is its focus on causality—understanding the ‘who,’ ‘how,’ and ‘when’ behind incidents is pivotal in the fight against Rogue AI.

• Who caused it (human, AI, or unknown)
• How it was caused in AI system deployment (accidental or intentional)
• When it was caused (before, after, or unknown)

This approach also enhances our understanding of Rogue AI. Both humans and AI can cause accidental harm, while Malicious Rogues are engineered to attack. The landscape is complex, and distinguishing between these motivations is vital.

Building Defense in Depth

Increasingly, incorporating AI systems into organizations broadens the attack surface significantly. It’s crucial for companies to update their risk models to reflect the threats associated with Rogue AI. Understanding the intent behind such threats is key. There are numerous ways for accidental Rogue AI to inflict damage without a malicious actor involved. And when harm is intentional, figuring out who is attacking whom—and with what resources—becomes vital. Are threat actors going after your AI systems directly, or are they broadly targeting your entire enterprise?

Mitigating the risk of Rogue AI demands a nuanced approach that considers causality and context. As organizations work to profile these threats better, bridging the gap between understanding AI risks and defining specific attack contexts is essential to comprehensive planning and risk mitigation.

Conclusion

The rise of AI brings with it both transformative potential and significant risks. By developing models that consider not just the systems but the intent behind AI usage and potential malfeasance, we can work towards a more secure future. Understanding these nuances should be a priority for threat researchers looking to maintain situational awareness throughout the AI lifecycle.

The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.