list_countries

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_countries needs a policy

This tool queries and returns a static list of supported countries. It performs no modifications, deletions, or financial transactions. It is a simple data retrieval operation with minimal blast radius if misused by an AI agent.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_countries' and description 'Get a list of countries' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_countries gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control list_countries

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Paystack, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_countries:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_countries": {}
  }
}

list_countries is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Paystack — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

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EXPLORE

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
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FAQ

Questions about list_countries

What does the list_countries tool do? +

Get a list of countries that Paystack currently supports. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Paystack MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_countries? +

Register the Paystack MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_countries: 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 Paystack. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_countries? +

list_countries is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_countries? +

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

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

list_countries is provided by the Paystack MCP server (kohasummons/paystack-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Paystack tool call.

Start from Paystack, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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