import_masks

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why import_masks needs a policy

The 'import_masks' tool creates or modifies project data by loading mask data into Metashape, reversibly affecting the photogrammetry processing pipeline. It does not execute arbitrary code, delete data, or move money. The empty description limits confidence slightly, but contextual evidence from related tools and the semantic meaning of 'import' (add/modify data) supports Write classification.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'import_masks' indicates data ingestion/upload into Metashape photogrammetry workflow. Sibling tools like 'add_photos', 'add_marker', 'add_scalebar' establish a pattern of Write operations that prepare/modify project state.

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

POLICY

How to control import_masks

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 import_masks:

policy.json

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

import_masks 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

Related tools and policies

More Metashape MCP Server tools

Destructive clean_model Remove model artifacts based on filtering criteria. Destructive clear_dem Remove the DEM from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_depth_maps Remove depth maps from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_masks Remove masks from cameras. Destructive clear_model Remove the 3D model from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_orthomosaic Remove the orthomosaic from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_point_cloud Remove the dense point cloud from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_tiled_model Remove the tiled model from the active chunk to free memory.

All 112 Metashape MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

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 import_masks

What does the import_masks tool do? +

import_masks. 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 import_masks? +

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

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

Can I rate-limit import_masks? +

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

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

import_masks 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 →