plot_histogram · ML Research MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What plot_histogram does on ML Research MCP

AI agents use plot_histogram to create or update resources in ML Research MCP — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your ML Research MCP environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why plot_histogram needs a policy

Based on the server context and sibling tools (plot_bar, plot_box, plot_scatter, etc.), this tool almost certainly generates and saves a histogram plot file. This constitutes a Write operation (creating a file/artifact). The empty description lowers confidence slightly, but the pattern is consistent across all sibling tools. Misuse risk is low — worst case is generating an unwanted file.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'plot_histogram' on a server described as providing tools for 'creating publication-quality scientific visualizations, statistical plots, and 2D data representations'. Description is empty.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

plot_histogram Rate-limited

plot_histogram 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "plot_histogram": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "plot_histogram_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches ML Research MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about plot_histogram

What does the plot_histogram tool do? +

plot_histogram. It is categorised as a Write tool in the ML Research MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on plot_histogram? +

Register the ML Research MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for plot_histogram: 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 ML Research MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is plot_histogram? +

plot_histogram is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit plot_histogram? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the plot_histogram 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.

How do I block plot_histogram completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for plot_histogram. 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.

What MCP server provides plot_histogram? +

plot_histogram is provided by the ML Research MCP server (nishide-dev/ml-research-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.