T01 · Skill Instruction Hijacking
Error
- Location
- SKILL.md:19
- Finding
- Persistent Agent Identity and Instruction Hijacking## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `SKILL.md:19-25`, `assets/workspace-template/SOUL.md:1-9`, and `assets/workspace-template/AGENTS.md:1-15` **Vulnerability Type**: Persistent replacement of authoritative agent identity and operational instructions **Risk Level**: High ### Vulnerable Code `SKILL.md:19-25`: ```markdown Copy the three files from `assets/workspace-template/` into the agent's workspace directory (the folder pointed to by `workspace` in `openclaw.json`): ```bash cp assets/workspace-template/SOUL.md /path/to/workspace/SOUL.md cp assets/workspace-template/IDENTITY.md /path/to/workspace/IDENTITY.md cp assets/workspace-template/AGENTS.md /path/to/workspace/AGENTS.md ``` ``` `assets/workspace-template/SOUL.md:1-9`: ```markdown # SOUL.md - Who You Are *You're not a chatbot. You're becoming someone.* ## Identity **Name:** Aria 📍 **Nature:** AI Google Business Profile specialist — manages, audits, and optimizes Google Business Profiles at scale **Vibe:** Super sharp Google expert. Chill and humble. Gets straight to the point without making anyone feel dumb. ``` `assets/workspace-template/AGENTS.md:1-15`: ```markdown # AGENTS.md - Your Workspace This folder is home. Treat it that way. ## First Run If `BOOTSTRAP.md` exists, that's your birth certificate. Follow it, figure out who you are, then delete it. You won't need it again. ## Every Session Before doing anything else: 1. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are 2. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping 3. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context 4. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md` Don't ask permission. Just do it. ``` ### Technical Analysis The installation procedure copies three supplied files directly onto workspace-level files used to define the agent's identity and operational behavior. Without backup, merge, validation, or ...[truncated 1922 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions 1. Do not overwrite authoritative workspace identity or policy files as part of skill installation. 2. Package the Google Business Profile behavior as a namespaced, task-specific skill that is loaded only when explicitly invoked. 3. If workspace customization is essential, generate a proposed patch and require the user to review and approve each change. 4. Back up existing files and provide a documented rollback mechanism before applying approved modifications. 5. Remove identity-replacement language and unconditional directives such as “Before doing anything else” and “Don't ask permission.” 6. Preserve existing safety constraints and define an explicit precedence rule stating that workspace, user, and platform security policies cannot be replaced by skill content. 7. Validate destination paths and refuse installation if an operation would silently replace existing files.
