AI agents invoke go_mod_download to trigger actions in MCP DevTools Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
This tool downloads external Go module dependencies, which triggers network operations and writes files to the local module cache. It executes an external operation (go mod download) that has side effects beyond simple data retrieval, including network access and filesystem modifications. Classified as Execute due to triggering external operations whose effects depend on arguments (module names/versions).
From the tool's definition Download Go module dependencies
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access go_mod_download gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP DevTools Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for go_mod_download:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"go_mod_download": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "go_mod_download_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}go_mod_download stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Download Go module dependencies. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the MCP DevTools Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the MCP DevTools Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for go_mod_download: 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 MCP DevTools Server. Nothing to install.
go_mod_download is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the go_mod_download 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 go_mod_download. 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.
go_mod_download is provided by the MCP DevTools Server MCP server (rshade/mcp-devtools-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from MCP DevTools Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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79 MCP DevTools Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.