AI agents use plan_remediation to create or update resources in Qualys — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Qualys environment.
The tool operates within a vulnerability management platform and the 'plan_' prefix suggests it creates or modifies remediation strategy artifacts. This is a Write operation (reversible modification of data/plans) rather than Execute/Destructive because it plans actions rather than executing them irreversibly.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'plan_remediation' suggests creating or modifying remediation plans. Description is empty, limiting direct evidence of capability.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access plan_remediation gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Qualys, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for plan_remediation:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"plan_remediation": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "plan_remediation_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}plan_remediation stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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plan_remediation. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Qualys MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Qualys MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for plan_remediation: 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 Qualys. Nothing to install.
plan_remediation is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the plan_remediation 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 plan_remediation. 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.
plan_remediation is provided by the Qualys MCP server (nelssec/qualys-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Qualys, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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8 Qualys tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.