Threat Intelligence

Threat Modeling Expert Highlights Lessons from Hugging Face AI Attack

Dark Reading · 18 Aug 2026

Key Takeaway If your business uses AI-powered tools, ask vendors about their security practices for the underlying AI models and platforms they rely on.

Adam Shostack, a well-known figure in the cybersecurity threat modeling community, has spoken publicly about being surprised by details OpenAI shared regarding an attack involving Hugging Face, a popular platform for hosting and sharing AI models. While specifics of the attack were not detailed in his comments, Shostack's reaction underscores growing concern about the security of AI supply chains, including the platforms and repositories businesses increasingly rely on to build AI-powered tools.

In response to these emerging risks, Shostack has developed a new threat modeling approach for large language models (LLMs), which he describes as 'PHANTOM-B.' He emphasizes that the model is designed to be lightweight, meaning it doesn't require deep technical expertise to apply, while still being practical and usable for identifying real security risks in AI systems.

As more Australian small businesses adopt AI tools—often built on shared, open-source models—understanding where vulnerabilities can arise in the AI supply chain is becoming increasingly important. Even businesses that don't build AI systems themselves may be exposed through third-party tools and platforms they use.

AI Security Threat Modeling Supply Chain Risk

Summarised by CISO AI from Dark Reading. We link back to every original so you can read it yourself.