AI agents call list_common_attributes to retrieve information from Biomart MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool performs data discovery and retrieval without modification, deletion, or execution capabilities. While the description is empty, the naming pattern and context within a Biomart exploration server strongly suggest it returns a list of common attributes available in the database schema. This is a non-destructive, informational query with minimal blast radius if misused by an AI agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_common_attributes' indicates retrieval/discovery of attribute metadata. This aligns with sibling tools like 'list_datasets', 'list_filters', and 'list_all_attributes', all of which are read-only discovery operations on Biomart databases.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_common_attributes gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Biomart MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_common_attributes:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"list_common_attributes": {}
}
}list_common_attributes is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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list_common_attributes. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Biomart MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Biomart MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_common_attributes: 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 Biomart MCP. Nothing to install.
list_common_attributes is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_common_attributes 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 list_common_attributes. 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.
list_common_attributes is provided by the Biomart MCP server (jzinno/biomart-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Biomart MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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8 Biomart MCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.