Medium Risk

update_nodes

Directly update causal tree node probabilities — zero LLM cost, instant. Use when the agent observes a confirmed fact (e.g. "CPI came in at 3.2%") and wants to reflect it immediately. Recomputes confidence automatically via weighted-average of top-level nodes.

Risk signalsHandles credentials or secrets (apiKey)

Part of the Simplefunctions server.

update_nodes can modify Simplefunctions data, with no limits today. PolicyLayer puts allow, deny, and rate-limit rules on every call. Live in minutes.

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

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_nodes": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_nodes_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

See the full Simplefunctions policy for all 108 tools.

Get this rule live on your own Simplefunctions server in minutes. PolicyLayer enforces it on every call, before it runs.

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View all 108 tools →

These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_nodes gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Every attack above starts with a tool call. PolicyLayer checks each one against your policy first, so update_nodes only ever does what you allow.

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Other write tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: rate-limit and validate the arguments.

What does the update_nodes tool do? +

Directly update causal tree node probabilities — zero LLM cost, instant. Use when the agent observes a confirmed fact (e.g. "CPI came in at 3.2%") and wants to reflect it immediately. Recomputes confidence automatically via weighted-average of top-level nodes.. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Simplefunctions MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_nodes? +

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

What risk level is update_nodes? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_nodes? +

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

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

update_nodes is provided by the Simplefunctions MCP server (@spfunctions/cli). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Simplefunctions tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 108 Simplefunctions tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

Free to start. No card required.

4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.

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