AI agents call list_desktop_apps to retrieve information from Sysprobe without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and enumerates data about installed desktop applications without modifying, executing, or deleting anything. It is informational only and serves as a prerequisite for other actions (like launch_app). No blast radius from misuse — an agent listing desktop apps cannot cause harm beyond information disclosure.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_desktop_apps' and description states it 'List[s] installed .desktop application IDs' — a pure query operation with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List installed .desktop application IDs (for launch_app). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Sysprobe MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Sysprobe MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_desktop_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 Sysprobe. Nothing to install.
list_desktop_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 list_desktop_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 list_desktop_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.
list_desktop_apps is provided by the Sysprobe MCP server (raindancer118/sysprobe-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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