import-key-pair

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why import-key-pair needs a policy

This tool creates or registers new SSH public keys in AWS, which is reversible (keys can be deleted). While the action affects security posture by adding authentication credentials, it is classified as Write rather than Execute or Destructive because it merely stores key material rather than executing arbitrary commands or deleting resources.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'import-key-pair' and description 'Import a key pair in the given region' indicate creation/addition of SSH key material to AWS infrastructure.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access import-key-pair gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control import-key-pair

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and AWS MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for import-key-pair:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "import-key-pair": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "import-key-pair_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

import-key-pair stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register AWS 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.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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All 54 AWS MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about import-key-pair

What does the import-key-pair tool do? +

Import a key pair in the given region. It is categorised as a Write tool in the AWS MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on import-key-pair? +

Register the AWS MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for import-key-pair: 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 AWS MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is import-key-pair? +

import-key-pair is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit import-key-pair? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the import-key-pair 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 import-key-pair completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for import-key-pair. 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 import-key-pair? +

import-key-pair is provided by the AWS MCP Server MCP server (lokeswaran-aj/aws-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every AWS MCP Server tool call.

Start from AWS 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 →