list_concepts

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_concepts needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves a list of pre-existing concepts from a knowledge graph. It performs no modifications, deletions, or external operations. The action is read-only with no blast radius if invoked by an AI agent—it simply exposes existing, static information from the system's knowledge base.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_concepts' and description explicitly states 'BROWSE — List all 138 concepts in the knowledge graph. Returns compact'. The verb 'list' and 'browse' are passive retrieval operations with no side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control list_concepts

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 list_concepts:

policy.json

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

list_concepts 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 →

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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 list_concepts

What does the list_concepts tool do? +

BROWSE — List all 138 concepts in the knowledge graph. Returns compact. 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 list_concepts? +

Register the Iconsult MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_concepts: 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 list_concepts? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_concepts? +

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

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

list_concepts 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 →