list_ec2_instances

A read tool on the Ncp MCP server.

SERVERNcp SOURCE@portel/ncp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-portel-dev-ncp/list-ec2-instances.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_ec2_instances does on Ncp

AI agents call list_ec2_instances to retrieve information from Ncp without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why list_ec2_instances is rated Low

This tool performs a read-only operation—it retrieves and displays EC2 instance data from AWS without side effects. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any operations. The blast radius of misuse is minimal: an attacker could enumerate EC2 instances to discover infrastructure topology, but no data is altered or operations triggered.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_ec2_instances' and description 'List EC2 instances' indicate a query operation that retrieves information about EC2 instances without modifying, deleting, or executing anything.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs list_ec2_instances safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Ncp, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For list_ec2_instances, this is the rule to start with:

list_ec2_instances Allowed

list_ec2_instances is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_ec2_instances": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Ncp, apply this rule, and every list_ec2_instances call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about list_ec2_instances

What does the list_ec2_instances tool do? +

list_ec2_instances is a read tool on the Ncp MCP server. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ncp MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_ec2_instances? +

Register the Ncp MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_ec2_instances: 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 Ncp. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_ec2_instances? +

list_ec2_instances is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_ec2_instances? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_ec2_instances 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 list_ec2_instances completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_ec2_instances. 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 list_ec2_instances? +

list_ec2_instances is provided by the Ncp MCP server (@portel/ncp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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