AI agents use add_ips_rule to create or update resources in Fortimanager — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Fortimanager environment.
Adding an IPS rule is a write operation that creates new security configuration on FortiManager. While it modifies network behavior, it is reversible (rules can be deleted or modified later), so it does not qualify as Destructive. The medium severity reflects that misconfigured IPS rules could cause network disruption or block legitimate traffic, but the impact is recoverable.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'add_ips_rule' which indicates creation of a new IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) rule. The description is empty, limiting direct evidence, but the pattern matches sibling tools like 'add_policies_to_block', 'add_interface_to_zone', and…
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access add_ips_rule gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Fortimanager, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for add_ips_rule:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"add_ips_rule": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "add_ips_rule_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}add_ips_rule 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.
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add_ips_rule. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Fortimanager MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Fortimanager MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for add_ips_rule: 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 Fortimanager. Nothing to install.
add_ips_rule is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the add_ips_rule 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for add_ips_rule. 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.
add_ips_rule is provided by the Fortimanager MCP server (jmpijll/fortimanager-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Fortimanager, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
584 Fortimanager tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.