list_user_policies

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_user_policies needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves IAM user policy information without modifying, deleting, or executing any actions. While the information returned (IAM policies) is security-sensitive, the tool itself performs only a read operation. Severity is low because listing policies is a non-destructive query; the blast radius of misuse is limited to information disclosure rather than unauthorized modifications or deletions.

From the tool's definition Tool name and description indicate it "List[s] all inline policies" - a retrieval operation with no side effects. The verb 'list' and the read-only nature of policy enumeration confirm this is a data query operation.

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

POLICY

How to control list_user_policies

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_user_policies:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_user_policies": {}
  }
}

list_user_policies is read-only, so it stays allowed — but 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.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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All 805 Amazon Translate MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

Roll out MCP under one policy → Per-person scoped tokens, one central policy, and full audit across every server your team connects.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
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_user_policies

What does the list_user_policies tool do? +

List all inline policies for an IAM user. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Amazon Translate MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_user_policies? +

Register the Amazon Translate MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_user_policies: 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_user_policies? +

list_user_policies is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_user_policies? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_user_policies 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_user_policies completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_user_policies. 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_user_policies? +

list_user_policies 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 →