Updates all references to the specified item (by its ID) to point to a new provided in the -NewTarget or removes links to the item.
AI agents use common-update-item-referrer-by-id to create or update resources in Mcp Sitecore — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Mcp Sitecore environment.
This tool modifies existing references/links in a Sitecore content management system by redirecting them to a new target or removing them entirely. While the changes are theoretically reversible (you could update references back or restore links), the blast radius is significant—updating all references to an item could break content relationships, page links, or dependencies throughout the system if misused.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Updates all references to the specified item' and can 'remove links to the item'. The word 'Updates' indicates modification of data. The scope is broad ('all references'), affecting multiple data points across the system.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access common-update-item-referrer-by-id gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Mcp Sitecore, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for common-update-item-referrer-by-id:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"common-update-item-referrer-by-id": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "common-update-item-referrer-by-id_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
} common-update-item-referrer-by-id stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Updates all references to the specified item (by its ID) to point to a new provided in the -NewTarget or removes links to the item. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mcp Sitecore MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Mcp Sitecore MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for common-update-item-referrer-by-id: 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 Mcp Sitecore. Nothing to install.
common-update-item-referrer-by-id is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the common-update-item-referrer-by-id 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 common-update-item-referrer-by-id. 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.
common-update-item-referrer-by-id is provided by the Mcp Sitecore MCP server (@antonytm/mcp-sitecore-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Mcp Sitecore, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
149 Mcp Sitecore tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.