process_raw · Rawtherapee MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What process_raw does on Rawtherapee

AI agents invoke process_raw to trigger actions in Rawtherapee. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why process_raw needs a policy

The server description explicitly mentions running RawTherapee CLI to process RAW photos. A tool named 'process_raw' almost certainly triggers CLI execution to develop/render RAW image files. This falls under Execute as it runs an external process. Severity is high due to the potential for processing arbitrary files via CLI.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'process_raw' on a server described as enabling 'RAW photo development via RawTherapee CLI' — CLI execution is central to the server's operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

process_raw Rate-limited

process_raw stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "process_raw": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "process_raw_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Rawtherapee, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about process_raw

What does the process_raw tool do? +

process_raw. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Rawtherapee MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on process_raw? +

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

What risk level is process_raw? +

process_raw is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit process_raw? +

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

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

process_raw is provided by the Rawtherapee MCP server (lucamarien/rawtherapee-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.