AI agents use update_card to create or update resources in Basecamp MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Basecamp MCP Server environment.
This tool modifies data (a card) but does not irreversibly delete it or execute arbitrary code. Updates are reversible through subsequent edits or undo operations. Severity is medium because unauthorized updates could corrupt project data or mislead team members, but the impact is limited to a single card and not destructive.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_card' and description 'Update an existing card' indicate modification of existing data. Basecamp cards are reversible data entities; updates can be undone or corrected.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_card gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Basecamp MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for update_card:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"update_card": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "update_card_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}update_card 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.
Free to start. No card required.
Update an existing card. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Basecamp MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Basecamp MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_card: 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 Basecamp MCP Server. Nothing to install.
update_card 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 update_card 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 update_card. 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.
update_card is provided by the Basecamp MCP Server MCP server (qusaiisaleem/basecamp-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Basecamp MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
56 Basecamp MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.