AI agents call stale_tasks to retrieve information from Tick without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and returns task data based on modification recency criteria. It performs a read-only search/filter operation with no side effects—no tasks are modified, deleted, or executed. The verb 'Return' confirms it retrieves data without altering state.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'stale_tasks' and description 'Return active tasks that have not been modified recently' indicate data retrieval with no modification or execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Return active tasks that have not been modified recently. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Tick MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Tick MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for stale_tasks: 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 Tick. Nothing to install.
stale_tasks 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 stale_tasks 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 stale_tasks. 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.
stale_tasks is provided by the Tick MCP server (kpihx/tick-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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