AI agents call ism_applicable to retrieve information from Ism without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool appears to retrieve or query applicability information about ISM controls—consistent with Read category tools like ism_get and ism_list_*. Without explicit description, confidence is moderate. Severity is medium because unauthorized access to ISM controls could aid security control circumvention, though the tool itself performs no destructive or financial actions.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'ism_applicable' combined with sibling tools like 'ism_get', 'ism_list_by_classification', 'ism_list_by_topic' suggests this queries or retrieves applicability data from the ISM controls database. The description is empty, lowering confidence.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
ism_applicable. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ism MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Ism MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ism_applicable: 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. Nothing to install.
ism_applicable 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 ism_applicable 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 ism_applicable. 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.
ism_applicable is provided by the Ism MCP server (samueldudley/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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