Permanently delete all trashed records and their dependent indexes.
AI agents call empty_trash to permanently remove resources in Scifinder Route — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
This tool performs permanent deletion of data that cannot be undone. It is classified as Destructive rather than Execute because the operation is inherently destructive in nature—it irreversibly removes data. The high severity reflects that a misused agent could lose entire synthetic route databases and their supporting indexes, which would be difficult or impossible to recover.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'Permanently delete all trashed records and their dependent indexes.' The word 'permanently' combined with 'delete' and the scope of deletion (records and dependent indexes) clearly indicates irreversible data loss.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Permanently delete all trashed records and their dependent indexes. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Scifinder Route MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Scifinder Route MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for empty_trash: 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 Scifinder Route. Nothing to install.
empty_trash is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the empty_trash 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 empty_trash. 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.
empty_trash is provided by the Scifinder Route MCP server (kettly1260/scifinder-route-mcp). 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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