modal_list_apps
AI agents call modal_list_apps to retrieve information from Modal 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 lists Modal applications without modifying them. It fits the Read category as a non-destructive query operation. Severity is low because listing apps has minimal blast radius—it only exposes metadata about existing deployments without side effects. Confidence is 0.85 rather than higher due to empty tool description, but server-level context strongly indicates read-only semantics.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'modal_list_apps' suggests listing/querying apps. Server description explicitly states 'read-only Modal context' with 'inspect Modal apps' capabilities and 'without granting mutation tools'.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
modal_list_apps. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Modal MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Modal MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for modal_list_apps: 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 Modal MCP Server. Nothing to install.
modal_list_apps 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 modal_list_apps 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 modal_list_apps. 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.
modal_list_apps is provided by the Modal MCP Server MCP server (php-workx/modal-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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