AI agents call get_active_session to retrieve information from Iterm2 without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a simple query operation that retrieves metadata about the active terminal session without side effects, state changes, or command execution. The most restrictive capability would be accessing session identifiers, which is informational only and poses minimal risk in isolation.
From the tool's definition Tool returns the ID and name of the currently focused iTerm2 session with no modification or execution capability—pure data retrieval.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Return the ID and name of the currently focused iTerm2 session. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Iterm2 MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Iterm2 MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_active_session: 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 Iterm2. Nothing to install.
get_active_session 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_active_session 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_active_session. 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_active_session is provided by the Iterm2 MCP server (lorencarvalho/iterm2-mcp). 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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