Medium Risk

pip-install

Runs pip install and returns a structured summary of installed packages. WARNING: may execute untrusted code.

Accepts file system path (path); High parameter count (15 properties)

Part of the Python MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

AI agents use pip-install to create or modify resources in Python. 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 pip-install repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. Intercept's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach Python.

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

io-github-dave-london-pare-python.yaml
tools:
  pip-install:
    rules:
      - action: allow
        rate_limit:
          max: 30
          window: 60

See the full Python policy for all 14 tools.

Tool Name pip-install
Category Write
MCP Server Python MCP Server
Risk Level Medium

View all 14 tools →

Agents calling write-class tools like pip-install have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Write risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, validate) apply to each.

What does the pip-install tool do? +

Runs pip install and returns a structured summary of installed packages. WARNING: may execute untrusted code.. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Python MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on pip-install? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for pip-install. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Python MCP server.

What risk level is pip-install? +

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

Can I rate-limit pip-install? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the pip-install rule in your Intercept 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 pip-install completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for pip-install. 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 pip-install? +

pip-install is provided by the Python MCP server (@paretools/python). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Let agents act without letting them run wild.

Deterministic policy on every MCP tool call. Per-identity grants. Full audit log.

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