Microsoft Copilot vulnerability EchoLeak enabled zero-click data theft
Researchers found a critical flaw in Microsoft Copilot that allowed hackers to access sensitive data without user interaction, now patched by Microsoft.
Researchers discovered a critical vulnerability in Microsoft's Copilot AI tool that could have allowed attackers to steal sensitive data without any user interaction.
The EchoLeak Vulnerability
- Dubbed EchoLeak (CVE-2025-32711), the flaw represented the first known zero-click attack on an AI agent.
- Attackers could exploit an LLM scope violation to commandeer Copilot and access privileged data.
- Vulnerable data included chat histories, OneDrive documents, Sharepoint content, Teams conversations, and preloaded organizational data.
How It Worked
- The attack could be triggered simply by sending an email to a target.
- No user interaction was required, making it particularly dangerous.
- Default Copilot configurations left most organizations at risk until patched.
Microsoft's Response
- Microsoft released an advisory confirming the issue was fully addressed.
- The company implemented updates and additional defense-in-depth measures.
- "We appreciate Aim Labs for identifying and responsibly reporting this issue," a Microsoft spokesperson said.
Expert Insights
- Adir Gruss, CTO at Aim Security, called it a "significant breakthrough in AI security research."
- Jeff Pollard, VP at Forrester, noted the risks align with prior concerns about AI agents: "Attackers will find a way to exploit it given the treasure trove of information."
Key Takeaways
- The vulnerability highlights the evolving risks of AI-powered tools in enterprise environments.
- Organizations should ensure they apply the latest patches and review AI agent configurations.
- Microsoft has confirmed no evidence of customer targeting, but the potential impact was severe.
For more details, read the full report from Aim Security.
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