user_packages

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why user_packages needs a policy

This tool performs a read-only enumeration of installed packages on an Android device. It retrieves information about the device's applications without creating, modifying, deleting, executing commands, or moving any resources. The blast radius is minimal—an attacker gains visibility into what apps are installed, which could inform further exploitation but causes no direct harm.

From the tool's definition Tool 'Returns a list of user-installed application package names' — a query operation that retrieves data with no modification or execution. The description explicitly states it returns information with no parameters modifying device state.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access user_packages gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control user_packages

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Ultimate Android MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for user_packages:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "user_packages": {}
  }
}

user_packages is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Ultimate Android MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Ultimate Android MCP tools

Destructive uninstall_package Uninstalls the specified package from the connected Android device. Requires the package_n Execute execute_adb_shell Executes a raw ADB shell command on the connected Android device and returns the output. R Execute launch_app Launches the app with the specified package name on the connected Android device. Requires Execute input_back Simulates a back button event on the connected Android device. No parameters are required. Execute input_home Simulates a home button event on the connected Android device. No parameters are required. Execute input_keyevent Simulates a key event with the specified keycode on the connected Android device. Requires Execute input_roll Simulates a rolling gesture with the specified dx and dy values on the connected Android d Execute input_text Simulates typing the given text input into the currently focused field on the connected An

All 35 Ultimate Android MCP tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about user_packages

What does the user_packages tool do? +

Returns a list of user-installed application package names on the connected Android device. No parameters are required. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ultimate Android MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on user_packages? +

Register the Ultimate Android MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for user_packages: 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 Ultimate Android MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is user_packages? +

user_packages is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit user_packages? +

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

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

user_packages is provided by the Ultimate Android MCP server (oddlyspaced/ultimate-android-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Ultimate Android MCP tool call.

Start from Ultimate Android MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →