Delete all documents matching a query
Risk signalsMass-deletes documents by query
Part of the Elasticsearch server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents may call delete_by_query to permanently remove or destroy resources in Elasticsearch. Without a policy, an autonomous agent could delete critical data in a loop with no way to undo the damage. PolicyLayer blocks destructive tools by default and requires explicit human approval before enabling them.
Without a policy, an AI agent could call delete_by_query in a loop, permanently destroying resources in Elasticsearch. There is no undo for destructive operations. PolicyLayer blocks this tool by default and only allows it when a human explicitly approves the action.
Destructive tools permanently remove data. Block by default. Only enable with explicit approval workflows.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"hide": [
"delete_by_query"
]
}See the full Elasticsearch policy for all 20 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access delete_by_query gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other destructive tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: deny by default, or require human approval.
Delete all documents matching a query. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Elasticsearch MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Elasticsearch MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for delete_by_query: 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 Elasticsearch. Nothing to install.
delete_by_query is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the delete_by_query 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 delete_by_query. 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.
delete_by_query is provided by the Elasticsearch MCP server (elasticsearch-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 20 Elasticsearch tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
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