Agentic coding assistants like GitHub Copilot introduce fresh risks to the software supply chain. As Martin Fowler warns, “developer environments represent a weak point in the software supply chain.” These AI tools engage in active tool-use and ReAct loops, expanding the attack surface at each step.

Malicious actors can exploit “Context Poisoning,” where poisoned responses trigger unintended behaviors, or hijack Model Context Protocol servers and rules files, silently injecting harmful instructions. With direct file access and elevated privileges, a compromised assistant can modify code, install dependencies, or escalate system permissions.

To safeguard your pipeline, adopt traditional best practices: sandbox assistants with least-privilege access, vet MCP servers and rules files like any dependency, and monitor file and network activity. Include AI workflows in your threat modeling and keep a human in the loop—don’t auto-accept every suggestion. By staying vigilant, you can harness AI productivity without opening the door to new security threats.
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