list_user_policies

ServerAWS
CategoryRead

WHAT IT DOES

What list_user_policies does on AWS

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

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_user_policies needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves IAM policy metadata for a specified user. It has no side effects, does not modify or delete data, and does not execute operations. It is a straightforward read operation that returns existing policy information.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'retrieves the names of all inline policies attached to the specified user' and 'This tool retrieves...'. The return value is a list of policy names with no modification or deletion capability.

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 AWS, 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 AWS — 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 →

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EXPLORE

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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. This tool retrieves the names of all inline policies attached to the specified user. Args: user_name: The name of the IAM user Returns: InlinePolicyListResponse containing the list of policy names. 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_user_policies? +

Register the AWS 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 AWS. 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 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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