Returns the hierarchical group structure of the ISM catalog (chapters, guidelines, sections) with control counts at each level.
AI agents call list_groups to retrieve information from ISM MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves structured metadata about the ISM catalog organization (chapters, guidelines, sections) and returns control counts. It performs no writes, deletions, code execution, or financial operations. The operation is read-only with no side effects, fitting squarely into the Read category with minimal risk.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_groups' and description 'Returns the hierarchical group structure' indicate a retrieval operation with no modification, deletion, or execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Returns the hierarchical group structure of the ISM catalog (chapters, guidelines, sections) with control counts at each level. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ISM MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the ISM MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_groups: 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 ISM MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_groups 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 list_groups 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 list_groups. 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.
list_groups is provided by the ISM MCP Server MCP server (rusticeagle/ism-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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