Count documents in an index, optionally filtered by a query
AI agents call count_documents to retrieve information from Octodet Elasticsearch without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only counts and queries existing data without creating, modifying, or deleting anything. It is a read-only operation that retrieves aggregate information from Elasticsearch. Even with filters applied, the query does not alter state. The low severity reflects minimal risk of misuse—the worst outcome would be information disclosure of document counts, which is typically non-sensitive metadata.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'count_documents' and description 'Count documents in an index, optionally filtered by a query' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Count documents in an index, optionally filtered by a query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Octodet Elasticsearch MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Octodet Elasticsearch MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for count_documents: 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 Octodet Elasticsearch. Nothing to install.
count_documents 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 count_documents 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 count_documents. 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.
count_documents is provided by the Octodet Elasticsearch MCP server (octodet/elasticsearch-mcp). 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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