Look up MITRE CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog record from research view 1000. Default response is SLIM (first 3 mitigations, first 3 examples; extended_description is null) — pass include='full' for the verbose record (full mitigations + examples lists, populated extended_description). ...
Part of the ContrastAPI server.
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AI agents call cwe_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 cwe_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": {
"cwe_lookup": {}
}
}See the full ContrastAPI policy for all 53 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access cwe_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.
Look up MITRE CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog record from research view 1000. Default response is SLIM (first 3 mitigations, first 3 examples; extended_description is null) — pass include='full' for the verbose record (full mitigations + examples lists, populated extended_description). Returns description, abstract type (Pillar/Class/Base/Variant/Compound), status (Stable/Draft/Incomplete/Deprecated), exploit likelihood, recommended mitigations, observed example CVEs, parent_cwe (walk up the hierarchy), child_cwes (drill down to more specific weaknesses), and cve_count (LOWER BOUND — counts only CVEs whose primary CWE matches; CVEs with multiple CWEs may not be counted). Use after cve_lookup or kev_detail to understand the underlying weakness category; chain with cve_search(cwe_id=...) to enumerate all matching CVEs. Returns 404 when the CWE is not in research view 1000. Free: 30/hr, Pro: 500/hr. Returns {cwe_id, name, description, extended_description (null on slim, populated on include='full'), abstract_type, status, likelihood, mitigations (first 3 by default), total_mitigations, examples (first 3 by default), total_examples, parent_cwe, child_cwes, cve_count, updated_at, 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 cwe_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.
cwe_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 cwe_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 cwe_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.
cwe_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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