AI agents call listRoots to retrieve information from My without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and reports MCP root information without side effects. It is purely informational, similar to listing configuration or status—a read operation with minimal blast radius if misused by an agent (at worst, information disclosure about MCP setup).
From the tool's definition Tool name 'listRoots' and description 'Lists the current MCP roots' indicate a retrieval operation that queries configuration or metadata from the MCP client without modifying state.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Lists the current MCP roots as reported by the connected MCP client. It is categorised as a Read tool in the My MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the My MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for listRoots: 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 My. Nothing to install.
listRoots 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 listRoots 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 listRoots. 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.
listRoots is provided by the My MCP server (kcbabo/everything-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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