Medium Risk

list_insert_after

Insert value after pivot in list. Args: key: The name of the key pivot: The pivot value value: The value to insert Returns: Success message or error message

How to control list_insert_after ↓

What list_insert_after does on AWS

AI agents use list_insert_after to create or update resources in AWS — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your AWS environment.

Medium Risk

Why list_insert_after needs a policy

This tool modifies a list data structure by inserting a new value at a specific position. This is a reversible write operation (the inserted value can be removed), not destructive. Misuse could corrupt data structures but has limited blast radius.

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

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

How to control list_insert_after

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_insert_after": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "list_insert_after_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

list_insert_after 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.

  1. Create a free account and register AWS — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
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Related tools and policies

Go deeper

Questions about list_insert_after

What does the list_insert_after tool do? +

Insert value after pivot in list. Args: key: The name of the key pivot: The pivot value value: The value to insert Returns: Success message or error message. It is categorised as a Write tool in the AWS 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_after? +

Register the AWS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_insert_after: 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.

What risk level is list_insert_after? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_insert_after? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_insert_after 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_after completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_insert_after. 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_after? +

list_insert_after 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.

Enforce policy on every AWS tool call.

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

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