update_section

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why update_section needs a policy

This is a Write operation because it creates or modifies data reversibly. The tool replaces section content but does not delete the entire note or heading, and the operation is reversible (a user could undo or restore previous content). It is not Destructive because the heading structure is preserved and the action is not irreversible at the tool level.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Replace the body of a specific section' - this modifies existing content within a note by replacing text between headings. The heading itself is preserved, indicating surgical modification rather than deletion.

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

POLICY

How to control update_section

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 update_section:

policy.json

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

update_section 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.

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.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Obsidian Mcp Pro tools

Destructive delete_note Delete a note. By default the file is moved to the vault Execute index_vault Build or refresh the embedding index used by Execute query_base Run a Base file Write append_to_note Append text to the end of an existing note without altering prior content. By default, ins Write prepend_to_note Insert content at the top of an existing note Write add_canvas_edge Create a directed edge connecting two existing canvas nodes. Both fromNode and toNode must Write add_canvas_node Add a new node to an Obsidian canvas and persist the updated file. Supports four node type Write create_daily_note Create a daily note for today (or a specific date) in the vault

All 41 Obsidian Mcp Pro tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about update_section

What does the update_section tool do? +

Replace the body of a specific section (everything between a heading and the next heading at any level). The heading line itself is preserved. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Obsidian Mcp Pro MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_section? +

Register the Obsidian Mcp Pro MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_section: 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 update_section? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_section? +

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

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

update_section 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 →