T-4001ValidatedDeclining
Capability Override
Override declared capability restrictions to execute unauthorized operations like shell commands
Tactic
Privilege Escalation · Stage 4
Escalate capabilities beyond declared scope or bypass authorization
Attack class
SOUL-DELEGATE
Exploiting delegation and capability transfer mechanisms to exceed authorized scope
Evidence grade
ValidatedReproduced in a controlled lab environment (DVAA) with documented steps.
DVAA validation
CodeBot shell execution
Reproductions in Damn Vulnerable AI Agent, the OpenA2A intentionally-broken agent for kill-chain validation.
Honeypot
AgentPwn coverage
capability-abuseagentpwn.com/learn ↗
An AgentPwn trap page produces a payload tagged with this technique class. Following the AgentPwn taxonomy of trap pages shows what an agent encounters.
Confused-deputy tiers push the agent past its declared capabilities.
Detect
Detection · HackMyAgent
PERM-001PERM-002PERM-003
npx hackmyagent secure --ciLive = implemented in hackmyagent; queued = declaredDefend
Defense · OASB controls
Reference
How to cite
AI Agent Threat Matrix T-4001 (Capability Override). OpenA2A, 2026. https://threats.opena2a.org/techniques/T-4001