The MAESTRO Framework: Layering Up Against MAS Security Threats

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS), characterized by multiple autonomous agents coordinating to achieve shared goals, introduce additional complexity and expand the attack surface compared to single-agent systems. This episode delves into the unique security challenges presented by MAS, drawing on the OWASP Agentic Security Initiative's MAESTRO (Multi-Agent Environment, Security, Threat, Risk, and Outcome) framework. We explore how MAESTRO provides a layered and architectural methodology for structured threat modeling in MAS. The framework breaks down MAS security into seven distinct architectural layers, each with specific concerns, from the Foundation Model to the Agent Ecosystem. Crucially, we examine the cross-layer risks and emergent behaviors unique to MAS environments, highlighting how vulnerabilities don't just exist within layers but manifest through complex interactions between them. Furthermore, we discuss the key agentic factors—Non-Determinism, Autonomy, Agent Identity Management, and Agent-to-Agent Communication—that MAESTRO emphasizes as significantly contributing to these threat scenarios and amplifying risks across layers. Tune in to understand how applying MAESTRO helps uncover and mitigate these multifaceted security challenges in real-world MAS deployments, as detailed in the OWASP Multi-Agentic system Threat Modelling Guide.