AI agents call list_running_apps to retrieve information from Mac without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a straightforward information retrieval operation that queries system state without side effects. It returns read-only process metadata that is non-sensitive at the process level (running apps are visible to users). No data is modified, deleted, or executed.
From the tool's definition Tool explicitly lists running applications and retrieves information (name, bundle ID, process ID) with no modification, deletion, or execution capability. Description states 'Lists all running GUI applications' with passive data retrieval only.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Lists all running GUI applications with name, bundle ID, and process ID. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mac MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mac MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_running_apps: 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 Mac. Nothing to install.
list_running_apps 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 list_running_apps 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 list_running_apps. 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.
list_running_apps is provided by the Mac MCP server (laststance/mac-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
list_running_apps is one line of Mac's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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