AI agents call jpl_scout 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.
Scout provides read-only access to NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Confirmation Page (NEOCP) data including orbital information and risk assessments. This is a data retrieval tool with no capability to modify records, execute commands, or cause irreversible changes. The low severity reflects that misuse would only expose existing public NASA data rather than compromise systems or cause financial/operational harm.
From the tool's definition Tool retrieves 'NEOCP orbits, ephemerides, and impact risk data' — all query/retrieval operations with no modification, deletion, or execution capabilities. No side effects or state changes.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Scout - NEOCP orbits, ephemerides, and impact risk 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_scout: 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_scout 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_scout 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_scout. 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_scout 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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