Fix: Resolve JSON malformation causing infinite loops and TypeError

[gdeyoung]

Summary

Fixed multiple critical bugs causing JSON malformation, infinite loops, and TypeError crashes in Agent Zero.

Issues Fixed

1. JSON Object Extraction Bug (rfind)

File: python/helpers/extract_tools.py - Used rfind to find LAST closing brace instead of matching one
Fix: Proper nested brace tracking using depth counter

2. Escape Handling Logic Error

File: python/helpers/extract_tools.py - Escaped quotes not toggling in_string flag
Fix: Proper check for escaped quotes

3. No Loop Protection

File: agent.py - No protection against consecutive misformat errors
Fix: Added consecutive_misformat counter with 5-attempt limit + HandledException

4. TypeError: tool_args must be a mapping

File: agent.py - .get() returns string if key exists with string value
Fix: isinstance(tool_args, dict) validation

[gdeyoung]

Additional Fix v1.2 - HandledException Shadowing

Issue Found

A duplicate local class definition of HandledException in agent.py was shadowing the imported class from python.helpers.errors. This caused:

• isinstance(exception, HandledException) check to fail in handle_critical_exception
• Unhandled exceptions causing crashes instead of graceful loop termination

Root Cause

• Line 36: from python.helpers.errors import RepairableException, HandledException ✅ (import)
• Line 353: class HandledException(Exception): pass ❌ (duplicate local definition)

Fix Applied

Removed the duplicate class definition (lines 349-355) in agent.py. Now uses only the imported HandledException from errors.py.

Files Changed

• agent.py: Removed duplicate HandledException class definition

Verification

• Python syntax validated
• Import now works correctly (same class object used throughout)
• Exception handling now works as intended

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Added: 2026-02-14