AI agents call current_time to retrieve information from Mcp Time without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
format | string | — | Format for the returned time string (default YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss) |
timezone | string | — | IANA timezone name (e.g., "America/New_York"). Defaults to the server's guessed timezone |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
This tool simply retrieves the current timestamp in different timezone formats. It has no side effects, does not execute code or commands, does not create or modify data, and does not involve financial transactions. It is a straightforward information retrieval utility with minimal security risk.
From the tool's definition Tool 'current_time' returns/retrieves current time data with no modification or execution capability. Description states it 'Returns the current time' - a pure read operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Returns the current time in UTC and a specified or guessed IANA timezone. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Time MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
current_time accepts 2 parameters: format, timezone. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Mcp Time MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for current_time: 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 Time. Nothing to install.
current_time 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 current_time 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 current_time. 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.
current_time is provided by the Mcp Time MCP server (@mcpcentral/mcp-time). 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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