Software Tools
Software tools are digital programs that help people get work done. Just like a hammer can be used to build a house or break a window, software made for helpful tasks can be misused by bad actors to cause harm or attack AI systems.
Software tools encompass any utility or application leveraged by an adversary to facilitate operational objectives. This includes dual-use software originally intended for legitimate administrative or development tasks that is repurposed for malicious activity, as well as tools that are modified or customized to bypass security controls in AI environments.
Software tools in the context of AI security refer to any executable code or software suite acquired, repurposed, or custom-developed by an adversary to support the lifecycle of an attack. This definition includes dual-use software—legitimate tools adapted for malicious intent—and emphasizes that the tools utilized to compromise AI systems are not inherently required to be AI-based, but rather function as enablers for reconnaissance, exploitation, or post-exploitation activities.