AI agents call get_backlinks_tool to retrieve information from Alaya without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a retrieval operation to find references to a note. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any actions - it simply queries and returns existing relationship data from the knowledge vault. This is a straightforward Read operation with minimal risk.
From the tool's definition The tool 'get_backlinks_tool' returns backlinks to a given note - it retrieves and queries existing data without modification. The description explicitly uses the word 'Return', indicating a read-only operation that has no side effects on the knowledge vault.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Return all notes that link to the given note (backlinks). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Alaya MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Alaya MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_backlinks_tool: 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 Alaya. Nothing to install.
get_backlinks_tool 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_backlinks_tool 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_backlinks_tool. 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_backlinks_tool is provided by the Alaya MCP server (luke-kucing/alaya). 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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