Search the web for information. Use this tool when you need to search the web for information. You can use this tool to search for news, blogs, or all types of information. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific company or product. You can also use this tool to sear...
Accepts freeform code/query input (query); Single-target operation
Part of the WebSearch MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.
AI agents call web_search to retrieve information from WebSearch without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though web_search only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
tools:
web_search:
rules:
- action: allowSee the full WebSearch policy for all 1 tools.
Agents calling read-class tools like web_search have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:
Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.
Search the web for information. Use this tool when you need to search the web for information. You can use this tool to search for news, blogs, or all types of information. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific company or product. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific person. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific product. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific company. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific event. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific location. You can also use this tool to search for information about a specific thing. If you request search with 1 result number and failed, retry with bigger results number.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the WebSearch MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for web_search. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the WebSearch MCP server.
web_search 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 web_search rule in your Intercept 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 Intercept policy for web_search. 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.
web_search is provided by the WebSearch MCP server (mnhlt/WebSearch-MCP). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic policy on every MCP tool call. Per-identity grants. Full audit log.