Get multiple work items by IDs
AI agents call get_work_items to retrieve information from MCP Server for Azure DevOps without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves work items from Azure DevOps by their identifiers. It is a read-only query operation that does not create, modify, delete, or execute any actions. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an attacker could gain visibility into project information but cannot alter state or trigger operations. Classified as Read with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'get_work_items' and description states 'Get multiple work items by IDs' — purely a retrieval operation with no modification, deletion, or execution of code/commands.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get multiple work items by IDs. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Server for Azure DevOps MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Server for Azure DevOps MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_work_items: 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 MCP Server for Azure DevOps. Nothing to install.
get_work_items 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 get_work_items 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 get_work_items. 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.
get_work_items is provided by the MCP Server for Azure DevOps MCP server (sepal7/mcp-ado). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
get_work_items is one line of MCP Server for Azure DevOps's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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