# update_resource

A write tool on the AWS MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `update_resource`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/update-resource

## Facts

- Tool: `update_resource`
- Server: AWS (`@awslabs/mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws.md
- Install: `npx -y @awslabs/mcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/awslabs/mcp
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity verified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "update_resource",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why update_resource is rated Medium

The name 'update_resource' strongly suggests a reversible modification operation (Write category). Without a description, confidence is reduced but remains moderately high. In AWS contexts, update operations on resources can have significant blast radius if misapplied (e.g., updating security group rules, IAM resources, or database configs), justifying high severity.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'update_resource' indicates modification of data/resources. Description is empty, preventing full certainty."

## Use case

AI agents use update_resource 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches AWS:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_resource": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_resource_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on AWS (299)

- `bulk_delete_by_criteria` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/bulk-delete-by-criteria.md
- `cache_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/cache-delete.md
- `cache_delete_many` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/cache-delete-many.md
- `cache_delete_multi` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/cache-delete-multi.md
- `cache_flush_all` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/cache-flush-all.md
- `delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete.md
- `delete_access_key` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-access-key.md
- `delete_datastore` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-datastore.md
- `delete_group` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-group.md
- `delete_image_set` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-image-set.md
- `delete_instance_in_series` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-instance-in-series.md
- `delete_instance_in_study` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-instance-in-study.md
- `delete_patient_studies` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-patient-studies.md
- `delete_resource` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-resource.md
- `delete_role_policy` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-role-policy.md
- `delete_series_by_uid` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-series-by-uid.md
- `delete_study` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-study.md
- `delete_user` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-user.md
- `delete_user_policy` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/delete-user-policy.md
- `detach_user_policy` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/detach-user-policy.md
- `json_arrtrim` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/json-arrtrim.md
- `json_clear` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/json-clear.md
- `json_del` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/json-del.md
- `list_pop_left` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/list-pop-left.md
- `list_trim` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/list-trim.md
- `remove_instance_from_image_set` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/remove-instance-from-image-set.md
- `remove_series_from_image_set` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/remove-series-from-image-set.md
- `set_pop` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/set-pop.md
- `sorted_set_remove_by_lex` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/sorted-set-remove-by-lex.md
- `sorted_set_remove_by_score` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aws/sorted-set-remove-by-score.md
- …and 269 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/aws.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=aws · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/aws