generate_hpa_yaml · K8s MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What generate_hpa_yaml does on K8s MCP

AI agents use generate_hpa_yaml to create or update resources in K8s MCP — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your K8s MCP environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why generate_hpa_yaml needs a policy

This tool generates HPA YAML configuration, which is a Write operation—it produces new configuration data that would typically be applied to a cluster (likely via apply_yaml). The severity is medium because while HPA configurations can affect cluster autoscaling behavior and resource consumption, they are reversible (can be updated or deleted).

From the tool's definition Tool name 'generate_hpa_yaml' indicates it generates YAML configuration for Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) resources in Kubernetes.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

generate_hpa_yaml Rate-limited

generate_hpa_yaml 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "generate_hpa_yaml": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "generate_hpa_yaml_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches K8s MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about generate_hpa_yaml

What does the generate_hpa_yaml tool do? +

generate_hpa_yaml. It is categorised as a Write tool in the K8s MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on generate_hpa_yaml? +

Register the K8s MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for generate_hpa_yaml: 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 K8s MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is generate_hpa_yaml? +

generate_hpa_yaml is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit generate_hpa_yaml? +

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

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

generate_hpa_yaml is provided by the K8s MCP server (rahul007-bit/k8s-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.