AI agents call nasa_cmr 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 and queries publicly available NASA metadata about data collections. It has no capability to modify, delete, or execute operations. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an AI could retrieve unwanted metadata but cannot access restricted data, modify collections, or trigger side effects. Classified as Read with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool is described as a search function for NASA data collections. The verb 'search' and the stated purpose of querying metadata repositories indicate retrieval without modification or execution of external operations.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
NASA Common Metadata Repository - search for NASA data collections. 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 nasa_cmr: 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.
nasa_cmr 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 nasa_cmr 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 nasa_cmr. 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.
nasa_cmr 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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