Retrieve detailed CVE data by ID: description, CVSS v3.1 + vector, CVSS v2 (always emitted), EPSS score + percentile, CISA KEV status (expanded: due_date, required_action, ransomware flag, vendor_project, product, vulnerability_name, short_description, notes, cwes, date_removed when in_kev=true),...
Part of the ContrastAPI server.
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AI agents call cve_lookup to retrieve information from ContrastAPI without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though cve_lookup only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"cve_lookup": {}
}
}See the full ContrastAPI policy for all 53 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access cve_lookup gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Retrieve detailed CVE data by ID: description, CVSS v3.1 + vector, CVSS v2 (always emitted), EPSS score + percentile, CISA KEV status (expanded: due_date, required_action, ransomware flag, vendor_project, product, vulnerability_name, short_description, notes, cwes, date_removed when in_kev=true), NVD vulnerability_status (Analyzed/Modified/Awaiting Analysis/Deferred/Rejected/Withdrawn), cve_tags ('disputed' triggers [DISPUTED] summary prefix), affected products (CPE), references, patch availability, related CVEs. By default affected_products is truncated to the first 20 entries (total_products reports the honest count) and references to the first 10 (total_references reports the honest count). Pass include_affected_products=true and/or include_full_references=true for the complete lists. Pass include_reference_tags=true to receive structured references_full=[{url, tags, source}] (NVD upstream tags + source provenance) — also activates tag-first patch detection. Pass include_severity_breakdown=true to receive severity_sources/consensus/disagreement (multi-source view of NVD/MITRE/GHSA/OSV severity assessments). Use for single-CVE details; use cve_search for queries by product/severity. Response carries next_calls — chain with kev_detail when kev.in_kev=true, with cwe_lookup on each CWE in cwes (up to 3 pivots), and with exploit_lookup for public PoC availability. Free: 30/hr, Pro: 500/hr. Returns {cve_id, summary, description, severity, cvss_v3, cvss_v2, cvss_v2_vector, cvss_breakdown, cwe_id, cwes, vulnerability_status, cve_tags, published, modified, sources, first_seen_source, first_seen_at, epss, kev (in_kev, date_added, due_date, required_action, known_ransomware_use, vendor_project, product, vulnerability_name, short_description, notes, cwes, date_removed), affected_products (first 20 by default), total_products, references (first 10 by default), total_references, total_references_unique, references_full (only when include_reference_tags=true), severity_sources/severity_consensus/severity_disagreement (only when include_severity_breakdown=true), patch_available, related_cves, verdict, next_calls}.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ContrastAPI MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the ContrastAPI MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for cve_lookup: 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 ContrastAPI. Nothing to install.
cve_lookup is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the cve_lookup 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 cve_lookup. 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.
cve_lookup is provided by the ContrastAPI MCP server (https://api.contrastcyber.com/mcp/). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 53 ContrastAPI tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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