AI agents call ui_view to retrieve information from Shotter without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The ui_view tool captures and returns visual information about the simulator's current state. This is a passive observation action with no capability to modify state, execute code, delete data, or trigger external operations. It belongs in the Read category.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Capture a compressed screenshot of the current simulator screen for visual analysis' — a read-only operation that retrieves visual data without modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Capture a compressed screenshot of the current simulator screen for visual analysis. Use this to see what. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Shotter MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Shotter MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ui_view: 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 Shotter. Nothing to install.
ui_view 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 ui_view 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 ui_view. 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.
ui_view is provided by the Shotter MCP server (nathanstitt/shotter). 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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