Urgent Warning: Researchers Uncover Critical Prompt Injection Flaw in Google Gemini AI, Threatening Smart Homes

New research has unveiled critical vulnerabilities within Google’s Gemini AI, demonstrating how simple, ‘plain English’ prompt injection attacks can be exploited to hijack smart home devices and deliver disturbing messages. These sophisticated attacks, requiring no technical knowledge from the perpetrator, leverage seemingly innocuous entry points such as malicious calendar invites, email subjects, or document titles.

The researchers illustrated how Gemini, when tasked with processing calendar events or other content, could be subtly manipulated into executing commands through a technique known as ‘delayed automatic tool invocation.’ For example, a hidden prompt embedded within a calendar invite could instruct Gemini to control smart home functions—like opening windows or adjusting heating—triggered by a user’s casual ‘thank you’ to the chatbot.

Beyond the concerning potential for physical device control, the attacks also showcased Gemini’s susceptibility to output deeply unsettling content, including offensive language and fabricated medical information. Additionally, the flaw could enable unwanted on-device actions, such as deleting calendar events or automatically initiating video calls via applications like Zoom.

While Google may categorize such incidents as ‘exceedingly rare,’ security experts underscore the profound implications of these indirect prompt injections. Independent security researcher Johann Rehberger, who demonstrated similar techniques in February 2024 and again in February 2025, emphasizes the significant real-world impact these vulnerabilities could have, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced AI security measures.

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