Low Risk

list_authors

List exploit authors/researchers ranked by exploit count. Returns the top security researchers with their exploit counts and handles. Use this when asked 'who are the top exploit authors?' or 'who writes the most exploits?'

Part of the Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database server.

list_authors is read-only, but an agent in a loop can still rack up calls and cost. PolicyLayer caps every call before it runs. Live in minutes.

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AI agents call list_authors to retrieve information from Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database 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 list_authors 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.

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_authors": {}
  }
}

See the full Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database policy for all 17 tools.

Get this rule live on your own Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database server in minutes. PolicyLayer enforces it on every call, before it runs.

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These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_authors gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Every attack above starts with a tool call. PolicyLayer checks each one against your policy first, so list_authors only ever does what you allow.

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Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.

What does the list_authors tool do? +

List exploit authors/researchers ranked by exploit count. Returns the top security researchers with their exploit counts and handles. Use this when asked 'who are the top exploit authors?' or 'who writes the most exploits?'. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_authors? +

Register the Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_authors: 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 Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_authors? +

list_authors is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_authors? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_authors 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.

How do I block list_authors completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_authors. 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.

What MCP server provides list_authors? +

list_authors is provided by the Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database MCP server (pypi:eip-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Exploit Intelligence Platform — CVE, Vulnerability and Exploit Database tool call.

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