AI agents call federation_query to retrieve information from Ruflo without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves data from federated memory across peer nodes. While it performs a read operation (query), the 'medium' severity reflects potential risks from querying distributed systems: (1) accessing sensitive data across trust boundaries, (2) PII exposure if gates are misconfigured, and (3) information leakage from coordinated agent swarms. The PII-gating mechanism reduces risk but does not eliminate it.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'federation_query' and description 'Query federated memory from a remote peer (PII-gated)' indicates data retrieval from a distributed system.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Query federated memory from a remote peer (PII-gated). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ruflo MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Ruflo MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for federation_query: 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 Ruflo. Nothing to install.
federation_query is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the federation_query 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 federation_query. 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.
federation_query is provided by the Ruflo MCP server (ruvnet/ruflo). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
federation_query is one line of Ruflo's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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