update_problem

Update fields on an existing problem (requires WRITE_ENABLED=true)

SERVERNowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit SOURCEnowaikit

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/nowaikit-servicenow-ai-toolkit/update-problem.md

WHAT IT DOES

What update_problem does on NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit

AI agents use update_problem to create or update resources in NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit environment.

RISK

Why update_problem is rated Medium

This tool creates or modifies data in a reversible manner by updating problem fields in ServiceNow. Updates are non-destructive and can typically be undone or overwritten. The medium severity reflects that misconfiguration or agent error could modify critical incident/problem records, potentially affecting operational visibility and tracking, but the action is reversible.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_problem' combined with description 'Update fields on an existing problem' indicates modification of existing data. The description explicitly notes 'requires WRITE_ENABLED=true', confirming write-level access.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs update_problem safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For update_problem, this is the rule to start with:

update_problem Rate-limited

update_problem 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": {
    "update_problem": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_problem_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit, apply this rule, and every update_problem call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about update_problem

What does the update_problem tool do? +

Update fields on an existing problem (requires WRITE_ENABLED=true). It is categorised as a Write tool in the NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_problem? +

Register the NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_problem: 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 NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_problem? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_problem? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_problem 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 update_problem completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update_problem. 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 update_problem? +

update_problem is provided by the NowAIKit — ServiceNow AI Toolkit MCP server (nowaikit). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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