AI agents invoke refresh_device to trigger actions in Fortimanager. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
The name suggests triggering a refresh/sync operation on a managed network device, which is an external operation (Execute category). However, the empty description significantly lowers confidence. It could be a Read (fetch device status) or Execute (push config refresh to device).
From the tool's definition Tool name 'refresh_device' on a FortiManager MCP server; description is empty and uninformative.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access refresh_device 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 refresh_device:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"refresh_device": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "refresh_device_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}refresh_device stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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refresh_device. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Fortimanager MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Fortimanager MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for refresh_device: 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.
refresh_device is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the refresh_device 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 refresh_device. 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.
refresh_device 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.
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