get_cities

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_cities needs a policy

This tool queries and returns a static catalog of city location records (with optional metadata like coordinates and translations). It performs a read-only lookup operation with no ability to modify, delete, or trigger external actions. The data retrieved is reference information used for location lookups. Severity is low as misuse would only expose geographic information already publicly available in the catalog.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_cities' and description 'Get city catalog for lookups - raw location records' indicate retrieval of reference data with no modification or side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control get_cities

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

policy.json

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

get_cities 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 RedAlert MCP Server — 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

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Execute subscribe_alerts Connect to RedAlert Socket.IO server and start receiving real-time emergency alerts. Optio Write unsubscribe_alerts Disconnect from RedAlert Socket.IO server and stop receiving real-time alerts. Clears the Read get_active_alerts Get real-time snapshot of cities currently under alert, grouped by alert type (missiles, e Read get_alert_subscription_status Check the current real-time alert subscription status including connection state, subscrib Read get_stats_cities Get city-level alert statistics with pagination, search, and optional translations/coordin Read get_stats_distribution Get alert distribution grouped by category or origin, with filtering, sorting, and paginat Read get_stats_history Get detailed historical alert records with full city data, filtering, sorting, and paginat Read get_stats_summary Get high-level overview of the alert system: totals, unique cities/zones, and optional top

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
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FAQ

Questions about get_cities

What does the get_cities tool do? +

Get city catalog for lookups - raw location records with optional translations, coordinates, and countdown times. It is categorised as a Read tool in the RedAlert MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_cities? +

Register the RedAlert MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_cities: 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 RedAlert MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_cities? +

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

Can I rate-limit get_cities? +

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

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

get_cities is provided by the RedAlert MCP Server MCP server (ozba/redalert-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every RedAlert MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →