This record as markdown: /tools/aws/json-del.md
What json_del does on AWS
AI agents call json_del to permanently remove resources in AWS, typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
Why json_del is rated Critical
This tool permanently removes data from a JSON document. Deletion is an irreversible operation that cannot be undone, meeting the definition of Destructive. While the blast radius depends on what JSON data is being modified, the inherent capability to delete arbitrary values at specified paths in production data (likely AWS configuration or state) represents a high-severity risk if misused by an AI agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'json_del' combined with description 'Delete value at path' explicitly performs deletion. The function removes data from a JSON document at a specified path, which is irreversible.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs json_del safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and AWS, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For json_del, this is the rule to start with:
json_del is removed from the agent's tool list entirely, so the agent never calls it. The rest of the server keeps working.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect AWS, apply this rule, and every json_del call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about json_del
Delete value at path. Args: key: The name of the key path: The path in the JSON document Returns: Success message or error message. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the AWS MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the AWS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for json_del: 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 AWS. Nothing to install.
json_del is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the json_del 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for json_del. 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.
json_del is provided by the AWS MCP server (@awslabs/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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