Medium Risk

update_toc

Regenerate ToC entries from current headings.

How to control update_toc ↓

What update_toc does on Docx

AI agents use update_toc 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.

Medium Risk

Why update_toc needs a policy

This tool modifies a Word document by updating its table of contents based on current headings. While reversible (ToC can be regenerated again), it alters document state and content. It does not execute arbitrary code, delete data irreversibly, or move money, so Write is the most appropriate category.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'update_toc' and description 'Regenerate ToC entries from current headings' indicate modification of document content (table of contents). This is a create/modify operation that regenerates existing document structure.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access update_toc gives an agent:

How to control update_toc

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 update_toc:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_toc": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_toc_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_toc 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.

  1. Create a free account and register Docx — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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Related tools and policies

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Questions about update_toc

What does the update_toc tool do? +

Regenerate ToC entries from current headings. 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.

How do I enforce a policy on update_toc? +

Register the Docx MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_toc: 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.

What risk level is update_toc? +

update_toc is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit update_toc? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_toc 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.

How do I block update_toc completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update_toc. 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.

What MCP server provides update_toc? +

update_toc 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.

Enforce policy on every Docx tool call.

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.

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