list_insert_before

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why list_insert_before needs a policy

The tool inserts a value into a list, which is a data modification operation. It creates/modifies data in a reversible way (the insertion can be undone by removing the element). However, this tool seems out of place on an Amazon Translate MCP server, suggesting it may be a generic data structure utility.

From the tool's definition Insert value before pivot in list

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_insert_before gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control list_insert_before

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Amazon Translate MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_insert_before:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_insert_before": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "list_insert_before_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

list_insert_before stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Amazon Translate MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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All 805 Amazon Translate MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

Govern customer-ops agents → PII redaction, approval on external messages, and no-bulk-delete rules on the records agents change.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →
PolicyLayer vs alternatives → How deterministic, per-call MCP policy compares with gateways, identity layers, and authorisation platforms.

FAQ

Questions about list_insert_before

What does the list_insert_before tool do? +

Insert value before pivot in list. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Amazon Translate MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on list_insert_before? +

Register the Amazon Translate MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_insert_before: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Amazon Translate MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_insert_before? +

list_insert_before is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit list_insert_before? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_insert_before rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block list_insert_before completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_insert_before. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides list_insert_before? +

list_insert_before is provided by the Amazon Translate MCP Server MCP server (awslabs.amazon-translate-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Amazon Translate MCP Server tool call.

Start from Amazon Translate MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →