AI agents use cache_incr to create or update resources in Prometheus MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Prometheus MCP Server environment.
This tool modifies an existing value in a cache by incrementing a counter. This is a reversible write operation (the counter can be decremented or reset). It does not delete data, execute code, or involve financial transactions. Severity is medium because misuse could corrupt application state or metrics counters, but effects are generally reversible.
From the tool's definition Increment a counter in the cache
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access cache_incr gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Prometheus MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for cache_incr:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"cache_incr": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "cache_incr_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}cache_incr stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Increment a counter in the cache. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Prometheus MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Prometheus MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for cache_incr: 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 Prometheus MCP Server. Nothing to install.
cache_incr is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the cache_incr 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 cache_incr. 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.
cache_incr is provided by the Prometheus MCP Server MCP server (awslabs.prometheus-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Prometheus MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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805 Prometheus MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.