List issues in a repository
AI agents call list_issues to retrieve information from GitHub MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool retrieves and displays a list of issues, which is a read-only operation with no side effects. The query does not create, modify, delete, or execute any actions. Blast radius if misused is minimal—an AI agent could retrieve unwanted information but cannot alter system state or cause irreversible damage.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_issues' and description states 'List issues in a repository' — this retrieves or queries existing data without modifying or deleting it.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List issues in a repository. It is categorised as a Read tool in the GitHub MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the GitHub MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_issues: 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 GitHub MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_issues 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 list_issues 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 list_issues. 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.
list_issues is provided by the GitHub MCP Server MCP server (mdabdullahfaruque/github-mcp-server). 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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →