search_by_keyword

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why search_by_keyword needs a policy

This tool retrieves movie data based on search queries without modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a straightforward read operation that queries a database for matching results. No financial transactions, destructive actions, or code execution are involved.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_by_keyword' and description 'Search for movies by keywords or themes' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects. The TMDB API context confirms this is a query-only operation.

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

POLICY

How to control search_by_keyword

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

policy.json

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

search_by_keyword 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 Tmdb — 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 →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Tmdb tools

Read build_collection_gap_plan Build a franchise completion plan by comparing watched titles or TMDB IDs against a collec Read build_franchise_watch_order Build a franchise or universe watch guide with release order, suggested order, total runti Read build_person_watch_path Build a watch path for an actor, director, or crew member with best-rated, available-now, Read build_release_calendar_watchlist Build a release-window watchlist with upcoming movies, provider-ready picks, broad-room ba Read advanced_search Advanced movie search with multiple filters Read compare_movies Compare 2 to 5 movies side by side with ratings, runtime, genres, cast, director, watch pr Read find_where_to_watch Find where one or more movie titles are available by searching titles, matching TMDB movie Read get_movie_details Get full details for a movie including cast, crew, runtime, budget, and reviews

All 24 Tmdb tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

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 →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about search_by_keyword

What does the search_by_keyword tool do? +

Search for movies by keywords or themes. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Tmdb MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_by_keyword? +

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

What risk level is search_by_keyword? +

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

Can I rate-limit search_by_keyword? +

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

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

search_by_keyword is provided by the Tmdb MCP server (laksh-star/mcp-server-tmdb). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Tmdb tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →