export_reference

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why export_reference needs a policy

This tool falls under Write because it creates/outputs data to a file. It is not Read (passive data retrieval only), Execute (triggering external operations with unpredictable side effects), Destructive (the export is reversible and doesn't delete or overwrite critical project data), Financial, or Other.

From the tool's definition The tool 'export_reference' exports camera reference data (positions and errors) to file. This is a file writing operation that creates or modifies data in a reversible manner—the exported file can be deleted, re-exported, or modified without affecting the…

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

POLICY

How to control export_reference

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 export_reference:

policy.json

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

export_reference 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 export_reference

What does the export_reference tool do? +

Export camera reference data (positions and errors) to file. 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 export_reference? +

Register the Metashape MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for export_reference: 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 export_reference? +

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

Can I rate-limit export_reference? +

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

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

export_reference 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 →