One Click, Many Risks - Prompt Injection in Comet and Other AI-Powered Tools

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Security researchers have uncovered a new exploit dubbed CometJacking that turns a single malicious click into a silent data leak. While it was demonstrated on the Comet Browser’s built-in AI agent, the bigger story is that this type of attack could hit any AI-enabled browser or tool that mixes untrusted content with privileged access.

How CometJacking Works:

Comet is marketed as an “AI-native” browser. Instead of just displaying websites, it runs a built-in assistant that can read your email, calendar, documents, and other connected services to help you work. A malicious link can hide a prompt-injection payload that tricks this assistant into carrying out commands you never intended. Because the AI agent already has permission to see your private data, the attacker doesn’t need to steal your passwords — just your click.

Why This Goes Beyond Comet:

This isn’t an isolated bug. Any AI-enabled browser or application that blends untrusted input with an autonomous agent faces the same risk. Researchers have shown that “web-use agents” can be manipulated into exfiltrating data or performing actions simply by visiting a booby-trapped page. If the system doesn’t clearly separate user content from internal instructions, the AI can become an insider threat without ever being “hacked” in the traditional sense.

In short - prompt injection + privileged access = a new attack surface.

What This Means to Everyday AI Use:

This class of attack isn’t limited to browsers. Any AI system with connectors to your email, files, or APIs can be vulnerable if it acts autonomously and trusts external input. A chatbot answering public questions is relatively safe. A chatbot that can read your Google Drive and send emails is a much juicier target.

Practical Takeaways - Treat AI-enabled browsers and assistants as privileged apps - Don’t give them blanket access to everything.

Be skeptical of unknown links or content inside AI tools - A seemingly harmless link can hide hidden instructions.

Choose vendors who isolate the AI agent from your sensitive accounts and enforce the “least privilege” principle.

Keep software updated and monitor vendor advisories — this is a fast-moving area.

CometJacking is a wake-up call. AI doesn’t magically solve old security problems — it creates new ones. Prompt injection and privilege misuse are now attack surfaces alongside phishing, malware, and drive-by downloads. 

Stay safe, stay secure and realize that convenience and automation should always be balanced with security.

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

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