task_update

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why task_update needs a policy

This tool modifies task records by updating their status or progress fields. This is a reversible write operation—the previous state can be restored and changes do not permanently delete data.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'task_update' and description 'Update a task status or progress' indicate modification of existing data without permanent deletion or irreversible destruction.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access task_update gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control task_update

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Agent Orchestration, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for task_update:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "task_update": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "task_update_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

task_update 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 Agent Orchestration — 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 →

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EXPLORE

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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 task_update

What does the task_update tool do? +

Update a task status or progress. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Agent Orchestration MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on task_update? +

Register the Agent Orchestration MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for task_update: 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 Agent Orchestration. Nothing to install.

What risk level is task_update? +

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

Can I rate-limit task_update? +

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

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

task_update is provided by the Agent Orchestration MCP server (madebyaris/agent-orchestration). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Agent Orchestration tool call.

Start from Agent Orchestration, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →