list_tools_by_category

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_tools_by_category needs a policy

This tool retrieves and presents metadata about available tools. It performs no data extraction from PDFs, modification of documents, code execution, or destructive operations. It is a simple enumeration/listing operation, making it a Read category tool with low severity since misuse would only expose tool availability information rather than sensitive document content or enable dangerous actions.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_tools_by_category' and description states it 'List all available tools organized by functional category' — a purely informational query with no side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control list_tools_by_category

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

policy.json

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

list_tools_by_category 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 MCP PDF — 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 →

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EXPLORE

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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 →
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FAQ

Questions about list_tools_by_category

What does the list_tools_by_category tool do? +

List all available tools organized by functional category. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP PDF MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_tools_by_category? +

Register the MCP PDF MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_tools_by_category: 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 PDF. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_tools_by_category? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_tools_by_category? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_tools_by_category 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_tools_by_category completely? +

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

list_tools_by_category is provided by the MCP PDF MCP server (rsp2k/mcp-pdf). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP PDF tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →