METR · August 31, 2026

Update on Security at METR

Why it matters

METR details two external attacks: a fail-open authentication bug in an agent dashboard exposed a public-model API key, and a separate query endpoint could expose unpublished evaluation data. Attackers used the stolen key for credits valued at about $600,000; METR says it found no evidence that sensitive information was accessed. Its response included credential rotation, isolated public infrastructure, deployment review, expanded logging and usage alerts.

My takeaway: Require security review before exposing research apps, test authentication failure paths, and separate public transcript services from private evaluation data. Scope and shorten credential lifetimes, monitor usage even when credits are free, and rehearse revocation and host isolation. Check data classification as well as query authorization before publishing a dataset viewer.
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