list_sections

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_sections needs a policy

This tool retrieves and queries the hierarchical structure of a note (headings/sections) and returns them as navigational metadata. It has no side effects—it does not create, modify, delete, or execute anything. It is purely informational, similar to a read or list operation.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_sections' and description 'List all headings in a note as a tree of paths' indicate retrieval of note structure metadata without modification. No write, delete, or execute operations are mentioned.

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

POLICY

How to control list_sections

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_sections": {}
  }
}

list_sections is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Obsidian Mcp Pro — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_sections

What does the list_sections tool do? +

List all headings in a note as a tree of paths (with depth). Useful for discovering valid. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian Mcp Pro MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_sections? +

Register the Obsidian Mcp Pro MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_sections: 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 Obsidian Mcp Pro. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_sections? +

list_sections is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_sections? +

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

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

list_sections is provided by the Obsidian Mcp Pro MCP server (rps321321/obsidian-mcp-pro). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Obsidian Mcp Pro tool call.

Start from Obsidian Mcp Pro, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →