AI agents call unix_timestamp to retrieve information from Basic without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a utility for timestamp/date conversion—a read-only operation that retrieves or transforms existing data into different formats. It has no capability to modify state, execute code, delete data, or trigger external actions. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius even if misused by an agent; worst case is incorrect timestamp values returned.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'unix_timestamp' and description 'Convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates' indicate pure data transformation with no side effects. No creation, modification, deletion, execution, or financial impact.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Basic MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Basic MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for unix_timestamp: 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 Basic. Nothing to install.
unix_timestamp 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 unix_timestamp 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 unix_timestamp. 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.
unix_timestamp is provided by the Basic MCP server (msilverblatt/basic-mcp). 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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