restore_trash_item · Scifinder Route MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What restore_trash_item does on Scifinder Route

AI agents use restore_trash_item to create or update resources in Scifinder Route — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Scifinder Route environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why restore_trash_item needs a policy

This tool recovers deleted data (Write category), not permanently destroying it. Recovery is reversible and restores prior state, placing it below Destructive but above Read. The severity is medium because restoring incorrect items could corrupt synthesis data in a chemistry research context, but the action itself is non-destructive and can be undone by re-deleting.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'restore_trash_item' and description 'Restore a trashed document, RDF reaction, RDF structure, or reaction step' indicates reverting a deletion by recovering previously deleted items from trash.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

restore_trash_item Rate-limited

restore_trash_item 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "restore_trash_item": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "restore_trash_item_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Scifinder Route, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about restore_trash_item

What does the restore_trash_item tool do? +

Restore a trashed document, RDF reaction, RDF structure, or reaction step. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Scifinder Route MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on restore_trash_item? +

Register the Scifinder Route MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for restore_trash_item: 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.

What risk level is restore_trash_item? +

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

Can I rate-limit restore_trash_item? +

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

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

restore_trash_item 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.