# LLM08 - Vector and Embedding Weaknesses

> Security risks from vulnerabilities in vector databases and embedding methods.

- **Category**: Owasp Llm
- **Subcategory**: top10_2025
- **Canonical URL**: https://designpattern.fyi/owasp_llm/llm08_vector_embedding_weaknesses/

---

## Description
'**Intent**: Secure vector databases and embedding pipelines from manipulation that could influence model outputs.

**Context**: RAG-based applications rely on vector databases and embeddings. These can be manipulated to inject malicious content, alter search results, or poison the knowledge base.

**Solution**: Validate data before embedding. Implement access controls on vector databases. Monitor for anomalous embeddings. Use embedding integrity checks. Apply input sanitization to retrieved contexts.'



## Use Cases
Use when building RAG pipelines, vector databases, or any system that uses embeddings for retrieval.





## Trade-offs


### Advantages

- Protects knowledge base integrity

- Prevents context manipulation

- Secures retrieval pipelines

- Maintains output accuracy




### Considerations & Drawbacks

- Embedding validation is computationally expensive

- Anomaly detection has false positives

- Large vector stores are hard to audit







---
**Reference**: [Original Source](https://genai.owasp.org)