Low Risk

list_indexes

Get a list of all available Splunk indexes. Returns: Dictionary containing list of indexes

How to control list_indexes ↓

What list_indexes does on Splunk

AI agents call list_indexes to retrieve information from Splunk without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Low Risk

Why list_indexes needs a policy

This tool performs a read-only query operation that retrieves metadata about available Splunk indexes. It has no side effects, does not modify or delete data, and does not execute code or trigger external operations. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an attacker gains awareness of available indexes but cannot modify data or cause irreversible changes.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_indexes' and description states it retrieves 'a list of all available Splunk indexes' with no mention of modification, deletion, or execution capabilities.

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

How to control list_indexes

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_indexes": {}
  }
}

list_indexes is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

  1. Create a free account and register Splunk — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
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Related tools and policies

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Questions about list_indexes

What does the list_indexes tool do? +

Get a list of all available Splunk indexes. Returns: Dictionary containing list of indexes. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Splunk MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_indexes? +

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

What risk level is list_indexes? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_indexes? +

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

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

list_indexes is provided by the Splunk MCP server (livehybrid/splunk-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Splunk tool call.

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

Free to start. No card required.

12 Splunk tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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