Executive Summary
IBM describes prompt injection as a major attack vector against LLMs and the top OWASP risk, able to cause data leakage or system compromise.
What Happened
IBM describes prompt injection as a major cyberattack vector against LLMs in which attackers craft malicious prompts or hide payloads in data sources consumed by generative AI systems to override guardrails.[5] The article notes that prompt injection is listed as the number one security vulnerability in the OWASP Top 10 for LLM applications and can lead to sensitive data leakage, malware propagation, or system compromise in enterprise and regulated environments such as fintech and healthcare.[5]
Vulnerability / Attack Technique
Prompt injection (explainer)
Technical Mechanism
An explainer on the vulnerability class.
AI Security Category
LLM01:2025 Prompt Injection
Part of the Prompt Injection topic.
Relevant Frameworks
RealGround Analysis
Reference material.
Recommended Controls
- Apply OWASP LLM01 mitigations
Related RealGround Service
AI Red Teaming · or start with the free AI Agent Security Scanner.
Sources
IBM: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/prompt-injection
Summary and analysis written by RealGround from the source above; last updated 2026-10-18.