Search the MITRE D3FEND catalog of defensive techniques by keyword, tactic, or targeted artifact. Default response is SLIM (drops uri from each row — saves ~60 chars/row, ~30% on popular drills); pass include='full' for the verbose record. Pass exclude_id when chaining from d3fend_defense_lookup ...
Part of the ContrastAPI server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call d3fend_defense_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 d3fend_defense_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": {
"d3fend_defense_search": {}
}
}See the full ContrastAPI policy for all 53 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access d3fend_defense_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 the MITRE D3FEND catalog of defensive techniques by keyword, tactic, or targeted artifact. Default response is SLIM (drops uri from each row — saves ~60 chars/row, ~30% on popular drills); pass include='full' for the verbose record. Pass exclude_id when chaining from d3fend_defense_lookup to skip self in sibling-artifact searches. Use to discover defenses applicable to a given threat model — e.g. 'what defenses harden access tokens?' (tactic=Harden + artifact='Access Token'). Drill into d3fend_defense_lookup with any returned defense_id for the ATT&CK technique mappings. Free: 30/hr, Pro: 500/hr. Returns {query, total, results [{defense_id, label, uri (only when include=full), parent_label, tactic, artifact}], 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 d3fend_defense_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.
d3fend_defense_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 d3fend_defense_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 d3fend_defense_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.
d3fend_defense_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.
4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.