Definition
Prompt injection is a security vulnerability affecting artificial intelligence systems, particularly large language models. It occurs when an attacker manipulates the input prompt given to an AI model to make it perform unintended actions or reveal sensitive information. This happens by embedding malicious instructions within seemingly harmless user input, causing the AI to deviate from its original programming. Understanding prompt injection is crucial for protecting AI systems from data breaches, unauthorized access, and misuse. For instance, an attacker might trick a customer service chatbot into divulging internal company policies or executing commands on a connected system. Unlike traditional SQL injection which targets databases, prompt injection targets the AI's interpretation of natural language instructions. This concept is relevant to cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+ and cloud security certifications such as CCSP.