Decrease the list indentation level (ilvl) of a paragraph by 1, minimum 0.
AI agents use promote_list_item to create or update resources in Docx — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Docx environment.
This tool modifies document content (list structure) but does so reversibly. The change is isolated to formatting properties and does not delete, destroy, or cause irreversible consequences. It falls under Write rather than Execute because it directly manipulates document state through a single, predictable operation rather than executing arbitrary code or commands.
From the tool's definition The tool performs 'Decrease the list indentation level (ilvl) of a paragraph by 1' - a direct modification of document structure. This is formatting/structural change that can be reversed by decrementing in the opposite direction.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access promote_list_item gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Docx, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for promote_list_item:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"promote_list_item": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "promote_list_item_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}promote_list_item stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Decrease the list indentation level (ilvl) of a paragraph by 1, minimum 0. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Docx MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Docx MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for promote_list_item: 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 Docx. Nothing to install.
promote_list_item is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the promote_list_item 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 promote_list_item. 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.
promote_list_item is provided by the Docx MCP server (securityronin/docx-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Docx, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
219 Docx tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.