This record as markdown: /tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/set-alt-text.md
What set_alt_text does on Docx
AI agents use set_alt_text 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.
Why set_alt_text is rated Medium
The tool modifies document content (alt text for images/objects) but does not delete or destroy data, nor execute arbitrary code. This is a reversible write operation consistent with the server's stated purpose of editing Word documents. Severity is medium because alt text modifications could affect document accessibility or content perception, but the blast radius is limited to metadata.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'set_alt_text' on a document editing server (docx-mcp) that 'enables...precise OOXML-level document manipulation.' Setting alt text modifies document metadata/properties reversibly.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs set_alt_text safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Docx, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For set_alt_text, this is the rule to start with:
set_alt_text 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.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Docx, apply this rule, and every set_alt_text call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about set_alt_text
set_alt_text is a write tool on the Docx MCP server. 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 set_alt_text: 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.
set_alt_text 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 set_alt_text 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 set_alt_text. 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.
set_alt_text 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.
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