Medium Risk

replace_parent

When true, replaces the sub-issue's current parent issue. Use with 'add' method only. (boolean, optional)

Part of the GitHub server.

replace_parent can modify GitHub data, with no limits today. PolicyLayer puts allow, deny, and rate-limit rules on every call. Live in minutes.

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AI agents use replace_parent to create or modify resources in GitHub. Write operations carry medium risk because an autonomous agent could trigger bulk unintended modifications. Rate limits prevent a single agent session from making hundreds of changes in rapid succession. Argument validation ensures the agent passes expected values.

Without a policy, an AI agent could call replace_parent repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. PolicyLayer's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach GitHub.

Write tools can modify data. A rate limit prevents runaway bulk operations from AI agents.

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "replace_parent": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "replace_parent_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

See the full GitHub policy for all 223 tools.

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

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

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Other write tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: rate-limit and validate the arguments.

What does the replace_parent tool do? +

When true, replaces the sub-issue's current parent issue. Use with 'add' method only. (boolean, optional). It is categorised as a Write tool in the GitHub MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on replace_parent? +

Register the GitHub MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for replace_parent: 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 GitHub. Nothing to install.

What risk level is replace_parent? +

replace_parent is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit replace_parent? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the replace_parent 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 replace_parent completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for replace_parent. 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 replace_parent? +

replace_parent is provided by the GitHub MCP server (@github/github-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every GitHub tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 223 GitHub tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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