Medium Risk

create_cli_template

create_cli_template

How to control create_cli_template ↓

What create_cli_template does on Fortimanager

AI agents use create_cli_template 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.

Medium Risk

Why create_cli_template needs a policy

Creating a CLI template is a reversible write operation that generates configuration artifacts. This is a Write-category action rather than Execute (it doesn't run commands directly) or Destructive (templates can be deleted/modified later). Severity is high because FortiManager templates control network security policies across multiple devices, and misconfigured templates could impact network security posture.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'create_cli_template' indicates creation of a new CLI template artifact. No description provided, but based on sibling tools like 'add_custom_command_to_template' and 'add_template_to_group', this server manages FortiManager configuration templates…

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

How to control create_cli_template

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 create_cli_template:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "create_cli_template": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_cli_template_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

create_cli_template 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.

  1. Create a free account and register Fortimanager — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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Related tools and policies

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Questions about create_cli_template

What does the create_cli_template tool do? +

create_cli_template. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on create_cli_template? +

Register the Fortimanager MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_cli_template: 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.

What risk level is create_cli_template? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_cli_template? +

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

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

create_cli_template 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.

Enforce policy on every Fortimanager tool call.

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

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