Search using ECL expressions
AI agents call search_by_ecl to retrieve information from SNOMED CT MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves or queries data from SNOMED CT without any side effects such as modifications, deletions, or execution of arbitrary operations. It is a pure read operation that returns matching concepts based on search criteria.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_by_ecl' and description 'Search using ECL expressions' indicate a query operation. ECL (Expression Constraint Language) is a standardized query syntax for SNOMED CT that retrieves matching concepts.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search using ECL expressions. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SNOMED CT MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the SNOMED CT MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_by_ecl: 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 SNOMED CT MCP Server. Nothing to install.
search_by_ecl 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 search_by_ecl 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 search_by_ecl. 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.
search_by_ecl is provided by the SNOMED CT MCP Server MCP server (orglance/snomed-mcp-server). 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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