get_pubmed_count
AI agents call get_pubmed_count to retrieve information from PubMed Enhanced Search without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves a count of PubMed publications, a read-only query operation with no side effects, data modification, or irreversible actions. Low severity because counting results poses minimal risk even if misused by an agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_pubmed_count' and sibling tools like 'search_pubmed', 'get_mesh_terms', and 'pico_search' indicate data retrieval operations.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
get_pubmed_count. It is categorised as a Read tool in the PubMed Enhanced Search MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the PubMed Enhanced Search MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_pubmed_count: 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 PubMed Enhanced Search. Nothing to install.
get_pubmed_count 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 get_pubmed_count 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 get_pubmed_count. 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.
get_pubmed_count is provided by the PubMed Enhanced Search MCP server (leescot/pubmed-mcp-smithery). 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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