# MAS-05 Cross-agent loop detection

Domain: MAS Multi-Agent Systems · HI-AAF v1.3 · Public review · https://humanintel.net/standard/mas/mas-05

Loop and recursion detection under ACT-05 extends across agents. Suspicious cross-agent invocation patterns, including circular calls, exponential fan-out, and unbounded delegation depth, trigger automatic suspension.

Loop and recursion detection extends across agent boundaries. Suspicious cross-agent invocation patterns, circular calls, exponential fan-out, unbounded delegation depth, are detected and trigger automatic suspension. This control prevents cascading failures and runaway resource consumption that can occur when agents invoke each other without bound.

## Maturity

- L1 Ad hoc: Controls exist informally; documentation is incomplete; no consistent review.
- L2 Documented: Controls are written down; ownership is assigned; review cadence is defined.
- L3 Operated: Controls are followed in practice; evidence is collected; deviations are tracked. Published criterion for MAS-05: Cross-agent loop detection is active for all multi-agent systems; detection covers circular calls, fan-out, and delegation depth; at least one suspension has been triggered in testing or production; detection thresholds are tuned.
- L4 Measured: Control effectiveness is measured against documented thresholds; trends are reported.
- L5 Continuously Improved: Controls evolve based on incident learning; maturity gains are evidenced over time.

## Evidence an assessor asks for

- Cross-agent loop detection is active for all multi-agent systems.
- Detection covers circular calls, fan-out, and delegation depth.
- At least one suspension has been triggered in testing or production.
- Detection thresholds are tuned.

## Framework mappings

- NIST AI RMF: MANAGE 2.2
- OWASP LLM Top 10: LLM06
- SOC 2 (TSC): CC7.2
- EU AI Act: Art. 14(4)
- MITRE ATLAS: Execution, Lateral Movement
- Singapore: MAIGF Accountability

Mappings are directional: meeting this control evidences but does not by itself satisfy the external requirement.

## Related

- Cites ACT-05 Loop and recursion detection: https://humanintel.net/standard/act/act-05
- Cited by ACT-05 Loop and recursion detection: https://humanintel.net/standard/act/act-05

## Cite this control

Human Intelligence. HI-AAF v1.3, MAS-05 Cross-agent loop detection. Public review edition, July 2026. https://humanintel.net/standard/mas/mas-05