AI agents call hn_search to retrieve information from Maple without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and queries public Hacker News data (stories and comments) without side effects. It does not create, modify, delete, execute commands, or move money. The 'search' operation with 'ranking metadata' indicates read-only access to existing data.
From the tool's definition Tool performs search operation on Hacker News stories and comments with ranking metadata retrieval. The description indicates data retrieval with no modification, deletion, or execution capabilities.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search Hacker News stories/comments with ranking metadata. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Maple MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Maple MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for hn_search: 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 Maple. Nothing to install.
hn_search 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 hn_search 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 hn_search. 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.
hn_search is provided by the Maple MCP server (omar2001ramadan/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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