Microsoft AI web protocol hit by major security flaw

As Microsoft pushes its vision to transform the internet with AI, its new NLWeb protocol has already faced a serious security setback. The focus keyword, Microsoft AI security flaw, highlights the growing concerns around protecting emerging AI-driven web technologies. NLWeb, designed to make websites more interactive with ChatGPT-like capabilities, suffered a critical vulnerability that allowed attackers to access sensitive files, including system configurations and API keys.

Microsoft AI security flaw raises concerns for the Agentic Web

NLWeb, often described as the “HTML for the Agentic Web,” is meant to let websites integrate AI-powered search easily. However, researchers recently uncovered a path traversal flaw that made it possible for remote users to read private files by simply using a malformed URL. While Microsoft has patched the issue, the discovery highlights the risks of building next-generation web experiences without robust security measures in place.

Security researchers warn of AI-era vulnerabilities

Cybersecurity experts Aonan Guan and Lei Wang reported the vulnerability to Microsoft in late May, just weeks after NLWeb’s announcement. They stressed that classic flaws like path traversal can have far-reaching consequences in the AI era, potentially exposing the “brains” of AI agents and sensitive cloud data. Microsoft released a fix on July 1st, but it has yet to issue an official CVE classification, which security professionals argue would help others track and verify the patch more effectively.

What this means for Microsoft and AI web development

This Microsoft AI security flaw serves as a wake-up call for both developers and tech giants. As AI protocols like NLWeb expand, the balance between innovation and security becomes critical. Experts advise companies to implement stricter vulnerability testing before public rollout to avoid undermining trust in AI-powered web technologies. For businesses adopting the Agentic Web, staying informed about potential risks will be essential to safeguard data and maintain user confidence.