update_user

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why update_user needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies user data reversibly, fitting the Write category. While it doesn't delete data (Destructive) or move money (Financial), the ability to modify user profiles at scale in a marketing platform carries medium severity due to potential impact on user records, communication preferences, and campaign targeting.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_user' and description 'Update user profile information' indicate creation or modification of data. The tool modifies user profiles reversibly via the Iterable marketing platform.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_user gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control update_user

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Iterable MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for update_user:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_user": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_user_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_user stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Iterable MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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All 78 Iterable MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about update_user

What does the update_user tool do? +

Update user profile information (accepts email OR userId in params). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Iterable MCP Server 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_user? +

Register the Iterable MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_user: 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 Iterable MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_user? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_user? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_user 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_user completely? +

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

update_user is provided by the Iterable MCP Server MCP server (iterable/mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Iterable MCP Server tool call.

Start from Iterable MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →