AI agents call jpl_sbdb to retrieve information from Nasa without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves or queries existing astronomical data without modifying, deleting, or executing code. It is a read-only data access tool with no side effects. The low severity reflects that misuse would only involve accessing public scientific data, with no destructive, financial, or execution-based risks.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'jpl_sbdb' and description 'Small-Body Database (SBDB) - asteroid and comet data' indicate a data retrieval service that queries asteroid and comet information from NASA's Small-Body Database.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Small-Body Database (SBDB) - asteroid and comet data. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Nasa MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Nasa MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for jpl_sbdb: 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 Nasa. Nothing to install.
jpl_sbdb 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 jpl_sbdb 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 jpl_sbdb. 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.
jpl_sbdb is provided by the Nasa MCP server (@programcomputer/nasa-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.
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