Critical Risk →

xdel

Delete an entry from a Redis stream. Args: key (str): The stream key. entry_id (str): The ID of the entry to delete. Returns: str: Confirmation message or an error message.

How to control xdel ↓

AI agents call xdel to permanently remove resources in Redis MCP Server — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.

Critical Risk

This tool performs a destructive operation by deleting stream entries. Although stream deletion is theoretically recoverable from backups, it is irreversible within the running Redis instance and constitutes data loss. The high severity reflects that an AI agent with unrestricted access could delete critical stream data.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'xdel' and description 'Delete an entry from a Redis stream' - the operation irreversibly removes data from a Redis stream that cannot be undone.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access xdel gives an agent:

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Redis MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for xdel:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "xdel"
  ]
}

xdel disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

  1. Create a free account and register Redis MCP Server — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

Go deeper

What does the xdel tool do? +

Delete an entry from a Redis stream. Args: key (str): The stream key. entry_id (str): The ID of the entry to delete. Returns: str: Confirmation message or an error message. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Redis MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on xdel? +

Register the Redis MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for xdel: 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 Redis MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is xdel? +

xdel is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit xdel? +

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

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

xdel is provided by the Redis MCP Server MCP server (redis/mcp-redis). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Redis MCP Server tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 53 Redis MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

Free to start. No card required.

53 Redis MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

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