# pip-audit

Runs pip-audit and returns a structured vulnerability report.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `pip-audit`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-audit

## Facts

- Tool: `pip-audit`
- Server: Python (`Dave-London/Pare`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/Dave-London/Pare
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 12
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `fix` | boolean | no | Auto-remediate vulnerabilities (--fix) |
| `path` | string | no | Project root path |
| `local` | boolean | no | Only audit packages in the local virtualenv (-l, --local) |
| `dryRun` | boolean | no | Preview fix changes without applying (--dry-run) |
| `noDeps` | boolean | no | Skip auditing dependencies (--no-deps) |
| `strict` | boolean | no | Fail on skipped dependencies (-S, --strict) |
| `compact` | boolean | no | Prefer compact output |
| `indexUrl` | string | no | Custom package index URL for corporate/private registry support |
| `ignoreVuln` | array | no | Vulnerability IDs to suppress (e.g. PYSEC-2023-001) |
| `requirements` | string | no | Path to requirements file |
| `skipEditable` | boolean | no | Skip auditing editable packages (--skip-editable) |
| `vulnerabilityService` | string | no | Vulnerability service to query (default: pypi) |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "pip-audit",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why pip-audit is rated Low

pip-audit is a passive vulnerability scanner that analyzes dependencies and produces a report. It retrieves and queries vulnerability data but does not install, uninstall, upgrade, downgrade, or otherwise modify packages; it performs no code execution or destructive actions. The output is informational only, making this a Read operation with low severity.

From the tool's own definition: "pip-audit 'runs pip-audit and returns a structured vulnerability report' — this is a read-only security scanning tool that queries installed packages for known vulnerabilities without modifying, executing code, or making changes to the system."

Risk signals: Accepts file system path (path) · High parameter count (12 properties)

## Use case

AI agents call pip-audit to retrieve information from Python without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Python:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "pip-audit": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Python (13)

- `conda` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/conda.md
- `mypy` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/mypy.md
- `pip-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-install.md
- `poetry` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/poetry.md
- `pyenv` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pyenv.md
- `pytest` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pytest.md
- `ruff-check` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/ruff-check.md
- `uv-install` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/uv-install.md
- `uv-run` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/uv-run.md
- `black` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/black.md
- `pip-list` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-list.md
- `pip-show` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/pip-show.md
- `ruff-format` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-dave-london-pare-python/ruff-format.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-dave-london-pare-python · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-dave-london-pare-python