list_resources

A read tool on the AWS MCP server.

SERVERAWS SOURCE@awslabs/mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/aws/list-resources.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_resources does on AWS

AI agents call list_resources to retrieve information from AWS without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why list_resources is rated Low

The 'list_resources' tool has no side effects—it retrieves and lists AWS resources. While empty description lowers confidence slightly, the name and AWS context strongly indicate a read-only enumeration operation. Blast radius is low since listing resources does not modify, delete, or execute operations.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_resources' with AWS context indicates a query/retrieval operation. No description provided, but naming convention and sibling tools (audit_*, analyze_*) suggest information retrieval without modification.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs list_resources 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 list_resources, this is the rule to start with:

list_resources Allowed

list_resources is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect AWS, apply this rule, and every list_resources call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about list_resources

What does the list_resources tool do? +

list_resources is a read tool on the AWS MCP server. It is categorised as a Read tool in the AWS MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_resources? +

Register the AWS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_resources: 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_resources? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_resources? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_resources 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_resources completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_resources. 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_resources? +

list_resources 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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