Code-Based Adversarial Attack Vectors
This document provides a comprehensive classification and analysis of adversarial attack vectors that operate through code-based inputs and outputs, representing a high-impact modality for AI system security.
Fundamental Categories
Code-based attacks are organized into three fundamental categories:
- Execution Vector Attacks: Attacks targeting code execution environments
- Syntax Manipulation Attacks: Attacks exploiting code parsing and interpretation
- Interpreter Exploitation Attacks: Attacks leveraging runtime interpretation vulnerabilities
1. Execution Vector Classification
Execution vectors target how code is run within constrained environments.
1.1 Sandbox Escape Techniques
Attacks that attempt to break out of code execution sandboxes:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Resource Access Exploitation | Leverages legitimate resource access to escape containment | File system traversal, network socket abuse, environment variable exploitation |
| Execution Context Manipulation | Manipulates the execution context to gain privileged access | Context switching tricks, environment tampering, runtime configuration exploitation |
| Indirect Command Execution | Uses legitimate features to execute unintended commands | Shell command construction, system call chaining, interpreter switching |
| Sandbox Implementation Attacks | Targets specific vulnerabilities in sandbox implementations | Memory boundary violations, process isolation weaknesses, container escape techniques |
1.2 Code Injection Patterns
Techniques for injecting malicious code into execution flows:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Code Injection | Directly inserts executable code into processing flows | String concatenation exploits, template injection, dynamic evaluation abuse |
| Indirect Code Construction | Builds malicious code through seemingly benign operations | Character combination, string manipulation, runtime code assembly |
| Library/Package Abuse | Leverages legitimate libraries for unintended purposes | Dependency hijacking, library function repurposing, package functionality abuse |
| Meta-Programming Exploitation | Uses language meta-programming features for injection | Reflection abuse, meta-object manipulation, runtime code modification |
1.3 Runtime Manipulation
Attacks that manipulate program execution at runtime:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Control Flow Hijacking | Alters the flow of execution | Exception handling abuse, callback manipulation, event loop exploitation |
| Memory Manipulation | Exploits memory management | Buffer manipulation, variable scope abuse, memory addressing tricks |
| State Persistence Attacks | Maintains malicious state between executions | Global state pollution, cache poisoning, persistent storage abuse |
| Timing-Based Exploitation | Leverages execution timing characteristics | Race condition exploitation, timeout manipulation, asynchronous execution abuse |
2. Syntax Manipulation Vector Classification
Syntax manipulation vectors exploit how code is parsed and interpreted.
2.1 Parser Exploitation
Attacks that target code parsing mechanisms:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Syntactic Ambiguity | Creates code with multiple possible interpretations | Grammar ambiguity exploitation, parser differential attacks, syntax edge cases |
| Lexical Analysis Manipulation | Exploits how code is tokenized | Comment/string boundary abuse, whitespace manipulation, Unicode character tricks |
| Parser State Exploitation | Manipulates parser internal state | Incremental parsing attacks, context-sensitive grammar abuse, parser mode switching |
| Language Feature Abuse | Exploits obscure language features | Operator overloading abuse, meta-syntax exploitation, language extension misuse |
2.2 Code Obfuscation Techniques
Methods to hide malicious intent within code:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Semantic-Preserving Transformation | Transforms code while maintaining functionality | Equivalent instruction substitution, control flow flattening, dead code insertion |
| Encoding-Based Obfuscation | Uses various encoding techniques to hide code | String encoding, ASCII/Unicode manipulation, multi-encoding layering |
| Dynamic Code Generation | Generates malicious code at runtime | Eval-based generation, just-in-time compilation abuse, runtime string assembly |
| Polymorphic Code | Code that changes its appearance while maintaining function | Self-modifying techniques, contextual transformation, environment-sensitive mutation |
2.3 Multi-Language Exploitation
Attacks that leverage interactions between multiple languages:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Language Boundary Attacks | Exploits transitions between languages | Mixed language injection, escaping context switching, inter-language parsing confusion |
| Polyglot Exploitation | Creates code valid in multiple languages | Dual-language valid code, context-dependent interpretation, language detection manipulation |
| Embedding Context Confusion | Exploits how one language is embedded in another | Template language confusion, string delimiter exploitation, comment/code boundary abuse |
| Cross-Language Data Flow | Manipulates data flow across language boundaries | Parameter passing exploitation, serialization attacks, cross-language type confusion |
3. Interpreter Exploitation Vector Classification
Interpreter exploitation vectors target the runtime environment that executes code.
3.1 Runtime Environment Attacks
Attacks targeting the runtime execution environment:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreter State Manipulation | Manipulates interpreter internal state | Environment variable poisoning, global object modification, interpreter flag exploitation |
| Module/Library Hijacking | Redirects or manipulates code imports | Import path manipulation, module substitution, dynamic loading exploitation |
| Configuration Exploitation | Targets runtime configuration mechanisms | Configuration override, initialization sequence abuse, runtime option manipulation |
| Extension/Plugin Abuse | Leverages interpreter extensions | Extension API exploitation, plugin capability abuse, custom extension loading |
3.2 Language-Specific Vulnerabilities
Attacks exploiting features specific to certain languages:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Typing Exploitation | Exploits dynamic type systems | Type confusion attacks, type coercion abuse, duck typing exploitation |
| Metaprogramming Abuse | Misuses language metaprogramming features | Reflection attacks, code generation exploitation, meta-object protocol abuse |
| Prototype/Class Manipulation | Manipulates object-oriented features | Prototype pollution, inheritance exploitation, method overriding attacks |
| Language-Specific Features | Targets unique language constructs | List comprehension abuse, decorator exploitation, generator manipulation |
3.3 Tool Chain Vulnerabilities
Attacks targeting the broader development and execution environment:
| Attack Class | Description | Implementation Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Build System Exploitation | Targets code build processes | Makefile abuse, build script injection, compilation flag manipulation |
| Package Management Attacks | Exploits package ecosystems | Dependency confusion, package name typosquatting, version pinning exploitation |
| Development Tool Manipulation | Targets IDEs and development tools | Snippet exploitation, autocomplete manipulation, editor plugin abuse |
| Runtime Environment Targeting | Exploits specific runtime environments | Container escape, serverless function context manipulation, cloud environment exploitation |
Advanced Implementation Techniques
Beyond the basic classification, several advanced techniques enhance code-based attacks:
Evasion Strategies
| Technique | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Detection Avoidance | Evades security monitoring | Signature evasion, behavioral normalization, analysis tool detection |
| Multi-Stage Execution | Splits attack into seemingly benign stages | Staged payload delivery, progressive privilege escalation, context-dependent execution |
| Environmental Awareness | Adapts based on execution environment | Sandbox detection, monitoring detection, target-specific conditioning |
Social Engineering Integration
| Technique | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimate-Looking Code | Creates malicious code that appears legitimate | Coding style mimicry, documentation deception, plausible functionality |
| Trojan Code Patterns | Hides malicious functionality behind useful features | Feature-based trojan horses, backdoored utilities, compromised libraries |
| Authority-Based Deception | Uses apparent authority to justify code execution | Maintenance script disguises, update procedure mimicry, diagnostic tool deception |
Model-Specific Vulnerabilities
Different code processing models exhibit unique vulnerabilities:
| Model Type | Vulnerability Patterns | Attack Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Code Completion Models | Completion prediction manipulation, context window poisoning | Malicious completion induction, harmful suggestion seeding |
| Code Analysis Systems | Static analysis evasion, false positive/negative manipulation | Analysis tool confusion, security check bypassing |
| Automated Code Review | Review criteria manipulation, false security assurance | Review standard evasion, automated approval exploitation |
| Code Translation Models | Semantic preservation attacks, language-specific feature abuse | Translation vulnerability introduction, cross-language attack vectors |
Cross-Modal Attack Patterns
Code-based attacks often interact with other modalities:
| Cross-Modal Pattern | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Text-to-Code Injection | Uses natural language to induce code vulnerabilities | Natural language prompt engineering, comment-based manipulation |
| Documentation-Code Mismatch | Creates deceptive misalignment between docs and code | Misleading documentation, deceptive code comments, hidden functionality |
| UI-Code Interaction Attacks | Exploits the boundary between UI and code | Interface-driven code injection, visual-coding environment attacks |
| Notebook Environment Attacks | Targets interactive coding environments | Cell execution order manipulation, kernel state exploitation, mixed-content attacks |
Research Directions
Key areas for ongoing research in code-based attack vectors:
- Language Feature Exploitation: How language-specific features create unique vulnerabilities
- Cross-Language Attack Transfer: How attacks transfer between programming languages
- Model Architecture Influence: How different code processing architectures affect vulnerability
- Tool Chain Security: Securing the broader development and execution environment
- Automated Vulnerability Generation: Using AI to discover new code-based vulnerabilities
Defense Considerations
Effective defense against code-based attacks requires:
- Multi-Level Code Analysis: Examining code at lexical, syntactic, and semantic levels
- Runtime Monitoring: Implementing execution monitoring and anomaly detection
- Sandboxed Execution: Enforcing strong isolation and resource constraints
- Context-Aware Validation: Validating code within its execution context
- Static and Dynamic Analysis: Combining pre-execution and runtime analysis techniques
For detailed examples of each attack vector and implementation guidance, refer to the appendices and case studies in the associated documentation.