Search CVE database with filters: product/vendor, severity, published date range, EPSS score, CWE, CVSS range, CISA KEV status. Default response is SLIM per-result (cve_id, summary, severity, cvss_v3, cwe_id, epss, kev, total_products, published, modified, sources) — pass include='full' for descr...
Risk signalsHigh parameter count (14 properties) · Admin/system-level operation
Part of the ContrastAPI server.
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AI agents call cve_search 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_search 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_search": {}
}
}See the full ContrastAPI policy for all 53 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access cve_search 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.
Search CVE database with filters: product/vendor, severity, published date range, EPSS score, CWE, CVSS range, CISA KEV status. Default response is SLIM per-result (cve_id, summary, severity, cvss_v3, cwe_id, epss, kev, total_products, published, modified, sources) — pass include='full' for description, cvss_breakdown, affected_products, references, first_seen_*. Verdict (sources_queried, falsifiable_fields, completeness, data_age) is at the response root — applies to the whole batch, not per-row. Product/vendor filters are EXACT NVD-canonical-token matches (not the common name — e.g. nginx is 'nginx_open_source'/'nginx_plus', vendor 'f5'); a low/zero count for a well-known product means the token differs, so for dependency/package lists use check_dependencies and for a domain's whole stack tech_stack_cve_audit (both auto-normalize tokens). Use for vulnerability discovery by criteria; pass cwe_id (e.g. CWE-79) to enumerate every CVE in our database mapped to a weakness — pair with cwe_lookup for the category description and mitigations. Use cve_lookup for single CVE by ID, kev_detail when kev=true filtering and the agent needs federal patch deadlines per result. Response carries a global hint pointing at cve_lookup — drill into any returned cve_id for full detail and chained pivots (exploit_lookup, kev_detail, cwe_lookup). Free: 30/hr, Pro: 500/hr. Returns {count, total, truncated, offset, summary, results, query_echo, next_offset, verdict, hint}.. 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_search: 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_search 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_search 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_search. 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_search 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.
Free to start. No card required.
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