AI agents call afk_status to retrieve information from Memex without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only retrieves the current AFK (away from keyboard) mode status and returns it. It has no side effects, does not modify data, and does not trigger external operations. It is a simple status check, fitting the Read category definition of retrieving or querying data with no side effects.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'afk_status' and description 'Return AFK mode status' indicate a query operation that retrieves state information without modifying or executing anything.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Return AFK mode status — None when off, or {id, started_at,. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Memex MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Memex MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for afk_status: 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 Memex. Nothing to install.
afk_status 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 afk_status 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 afk_status. 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.
afk_status is provided by the Memex MCP server (queflyhq/memex). 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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