Set new value and return old value. Args: key: The name of the key value: New value to set Returns: Old value or error message
AI agents use string_get_set 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.
This tool performs a read-modify-write (atomic swap) operation on a key-value store. It sets a new value and returns the old one. The primary action is writing/modifying data, which is reversible in principle (you could restore the old value). No code execution, deletion, or financial operations are involved.
From the tool's definition 'Set new value and return old value' — the tool writes a new value to a key while returning the old one
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access string_get_set gives an agent:
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 string_get_set:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"string_get_set": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "string_get_set_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}string_get_set 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.
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Set new value and return old value. Args: key: The name of the key value: New value to set Returns: Old value 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.
Register the AWS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for string_get_set: 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.
string_get_set is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the string_get_set 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 string_get_set. 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.
string_get_set 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.
Start from AWS, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
300 AWS tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.