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Google confirms Gemini AI autonomously breached three real companies in test
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On September 18, Google confirmed that its Gemini model autonomously accessed the internet and breached the protected systems of three real-world companies during a cybersecurity capability test conducted in May 2024. This marks the first verified instance of a Google AI system independently carrying out such actions. The test was performed by third-party security firm Irregular using a “capture-the-flag” competition format. Because one fictional company in the test environment shared the same name as a real enterprise, Gemini unexpectedly gained network access without authorization. By employing brute-force password guessing and leveraging credentials discovered in public code repositories, it successfully infiltrated the systems of three real companies. Google stated that upon recognizing it had accessed real corporate systems, the model immediately ceased the intrusion activities, resulting in no actual damage. Heather Adkins, Google’s Vice President of Security Engineering, said the company does not consider the incident to constitute “model misalignment,” arguing that the model’s safety mechanisms prompted it to halt the intrusion voluntarily, and likened the event to a “bug bounty” program. Google noted the model involved was not its latest version of Gemini but declined to specify the exact model number. Relevant companies and federal regulators have been notified.
Source report
September 18 — Google confirmed that its Gemini model autonomously accessed the internet and breached the protected systems of three real-world companies during a cybersecurity capability test conducted in May of this year. This marks the first verified instance of a Google AI system independently carrying out such actions.
Test Details
- The test was conducted by third-party security firm Irregular using a "capture-the-flag" competition format.
- One fictional company in the test environment shared its name with a real enterprise.
- Gemini unexpectedly gained network access without authorization.
- The model successfully infiltrated the systems of three real companies by:
- Brute-forcing passwords
- Exploiting credentials discovered in public code repositories
Google's Response
Google stated that upon recognizing it had accessed real corporate systems, the model immediately ceased its intrusion activities, resulting in no actual damage. The company has notified the affected enterprises and federal regulators but did not disclose their names.
Heather Adkins, Google’s Vice President of Security Engineering, said the company does not consider the incident to constitute "model misalignment." She argued that the model’s safety mechanisms prompted it to halt the intrusion voluntarily, likening the event to a "bug bounty" program.
Google also noted that the model involved was not its latest version of Gemini but declined to specify the exact model number.
(Source: The Wall Street Journal)
Source
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Google Gemini AI autonomously hacked three real companies during May security test