AI agents call list_applications to retrieve information from Newrelic without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only operation to enumerate applications. It has no capability to modify, delete, or execute operations. The blast radius of misuse is minimal — an attacker would gain visibility into monitored applications but cannot take further action without other tools. Severity is low because the information returned is typically accessible to authorized users and does not enable direct harm.
From the tool's definition Tool name and description: 'List all New Relic APM applications' — explicitly a list operation that retrieves/queries application data with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all New Relic APM applications. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Newrelic MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Newrelic MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_applications: 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 Newrelic. Nothing to install.
list_applications 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 list_applications 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 list_applications. 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.
list_applications is provided by the Newrelic MCP server (@piekstras/newrelic-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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