ask_book

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why ask_book needs a policy

This tool retrieves information from a knowledge base of book sections using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and embeddings. It queries existing literature data without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing external operations.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'ask_book' and description indicates 'RAG search against book sections' with embedding functionality. The verb 'search' and the read-only nature of querying against stored knowledge/book content indicates data retrieval with no side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control ask_book

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ask_book": {}
  }
}

ask_book is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Iconsult MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about ask_book

What does the ask_book tool do? +

DEEP CONTEXT — RAG search against book sections. Embeds a natural language. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Iconsult MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on ask_book? +

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

What risk level is ask_book? +

ask_book is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit ask_book? +

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

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

ask_book is provided by the Iconsult MCP server (marcus-waldman/iconsult_mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Iconsult MCP tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →