AI agents call get_startup_programs to retrieve information from Mcp Windows without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and lists startup programs without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It has no side effects—it simply queries system startup configuration data. Even if misused, an AI could only read the list, not alter system behavior. This is a classic Read operation with minimal blast radius.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_startup_programs' and description 'Get programs that start with Windows' indicate a query/retrieval operation with no modification or execution capability. The verb 'Get' is passive and informational.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_startup_programs gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Mcp Windows, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_startup_programs:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_startup_programs": {}
}
}get_startup_programs is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get programs that start with Windows. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Windows MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Windows MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_startup_programs: 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 Windows. Nothing to install.
get_startup_programs 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_startup_programs 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_startup_programs. 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_startup_programs is provided by the Mcp Windows MCP server (mukul975/mcp-windows-automation). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 441 Mcp Windows tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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441 Mcp Windows tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.