AI agents call get-user-by-id-calculate-start-nodes to retrieve information from Mcp Dev without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries user information and computes derived data (start nodes based on permissions) without creating, modifying, or deleting data. It is a read-only operation with no side effects. Severity is low because retrieving user permission metadata has minimal blast radius even if misused.
From the tool's definition Tool name includes 'get-user-by-id' and description states 'Calculates start nodes for a user by their ID based on permissions' — retrieves and calculates data without modifying anything.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Calculates start nodes for a user by their ID based on permissions. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Dev MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Dev MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get-user-by-id-calculate-start-nodes: 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 Mcp Dev. Nothing to install.
get-user-by-id-calculate-start-nodes 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-user-by-id-calculate-start-nodes 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-user-by-id-calculate-start-nodes. 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-user-by-id-calculate-start-nodes is provided by the Mcp Dev MCP server (@umbraco-cms/mcp-dev). 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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