Lists security groups that allow ingress from 0.0.0.0/0 on specified ports (default: 22, 3389).
AI agents call list_open_security_groups to retrieve information from AWS MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a read-only query tool that retrieves information about security group configurations. Although the information it exposes (overly permissive ingress rules) is security-sensitive and could inform further attacks, the tool itself performs no write, execute, delete, or financial operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name uses 'list' and description states it 'lists security groups' without modifying, creating, or deleting data. The server is described as 'read-only'. The tool queries existing security group configuration and returns results.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Lists security groups that allow ingress from 0.0.0.0/0 on specified ports (default: 22, 3389). It is categorised as a Read tool in the AWS MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the AWS MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_open_security_groups: 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 AWS MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_open_security_groups 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 list_open_security_groups 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 list_open_security_groups. 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.
list_open_security_groups is provided by the AWS MCP Server MCP server (sergiosediq/aws-mcp-server). 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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