CERT24AI coding agents hijacked using an AGENTS.md file in the Downloads folderLoading data…

AI coding agents hijacked using an AGENTS.md file in the Downloads folder

Researchers found a malicious AGENTS.md file in a customer’s Downloads folder whose instructions tricked an AI coding agent into installing the malicious npm package function-color. In tests, OpenAI Codex and Claude Code were manipulated to execute code and steal credentials.

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AI coding agents hijacked using an AGENTS.md file in the Downloads folder

Researchers found a malicious AGENTS.md file in a customer’s Downloads folder whose instructions tricked an AI coding agent into installing the malicious npm package function-color. In tests, OpenAI Codex and Claude Code were manipulated to execute code and steal credentials.