List installed packages, filterable by keyword and type (user/system/all).
AI agents call adb_list_packages to retrieve information from ADB MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only query of the Android device's package information. It retrieves and returns data about installed applications without side effects or state changes. While it provides information that could be used maliciously (e.g., identifying vulnerable apps to target), the tool itself performs no destructive, financial, or executing action.
From the tool's definition The tool 'adb_list_packages' lists installed packages with optional filtering by keyword and type. This is a query operation that retrieves information about the device state without modifying, executing code, or triggering external operations.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List installed packages, filterable by keyword and type (user/system/all). It is categorised as a Read tool in the ADB MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the 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 ADB MCP Server. Nothing to install.
adb_list_packages 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 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.
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.
adb_list_packages is provided by the ADB MCP Server MCP server (lll-404/adb-mcp-server). 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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