add_scalebar

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why add_scalebar needs a policy

This tool likely creates or inserts a scalebar annotation into a photogrammetry project, which is a reversible modification (Write category). It does not execute arbitrary code, delete data, or commit financial obligations. Confidence is moderate because the description is empty; however, the naming pattern and context strongly suggest a data-modification operation.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'add_scalebar' with sibling tools like 'add_chunk', 'add_marker', 'add_photos' suggests this adds or creates metadata/annotations in Metashape. The 'add_' prefix consistently appears across tools that modify project state.

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

POLICY

How to control add_scalebar

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

policy.json

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

add_scalebar 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 Metashape 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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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 add_scalebar

What does the add_scalebar tool do? +

add_scalebar. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Metashape 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 add_scalebar? +

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

What risk level is add_scalebar? +

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

Can I rate-limit add_scalebar? +

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

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

add_scalebar is provided by the Metashape MCP Server MCP server (jenkinsm13/metashape-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Metashape MCP Server tool call.

Start from Metashape 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 →