adb_list_packages

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why adb_list_packages needs a policy

This tool performs a read-only operation: it queries and returns a list of installed packages from the Android device. There are no side effects, no code execution, no data modification, and no destructive actions. While the Android ADB server as a whole includes execute and destructive capabilities (adb_shell, adb_uninstall, adb_push), this specific tool is purely informational.

From the tool's definition Tool name and description: 'Lists all installed packages on a connected Android device' — a query operation that retrieves information without modifying or executing anything on the device.

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

POLICY

How to control adb_list_packages

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

policy.json

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

adb_list_packages 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 Android ADB MCP Server — 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 Android ADB MCP Server tools

Destructive adb_uninstall Uninstalls an application from a connected Android device Execute launch_app Launches an application on a connected Android device Execute adb_shell Executes shell commands on a connected Android device Execute adb_install Installs APK files on a connected Android device Write adb_push Pushes files from the local system to a connected Android device Read adb_devices Lists all connected Android devices and their connection status Read adb_pull Pulls files from a connected Android device to the local system Read take_screenshot_and_copy_to_clipboard Takes a screenshot and copies it to the clipboard

All 10 Android ADB MCP Server 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 adb_list_packages

What does the adb_list_packages tool do? +

Lists all installed packages on a connected Android device. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Android ADB MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on adb_list_packages? +

Register the Android ADB MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for adb_list_packages: 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 Android ADB MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is adb_list_packages? +

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

Can I rate-limit adb_list_packages? +

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

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

adb_list_packages is provided by the Android ADB MCP Server MCP server (landicefu/android-adb-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Android ADB MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →