generate_pdf · Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What generate_pdf does on Server

AI agents invoke generate_pdf to trigger actions in Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why generate_pdf needs a policy

This tool executes a headless browser to fetch an arbitrary URL and render it as a PDF. It triggers an external browser process whose effects depend on the URL argument — it could be used to perform SSRF by requesting internal URLs, execute client-side JavaScript in the headless browser context, or access sensitive internal resources.

From the tool's definition Generate a PDF from a web page URL using a headless Chromium browser

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

generate_pdf Rate-limited

generate_pdf stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "generate_pdf": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "generate_pdf_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about generate_pdf

What does the generate_pdf tool do? +

Generate a PDF from a web page URL using a headless Chromium browser. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on generate_pdf? +

Register the Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for generate_pdf: 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 Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is generate_pdf? +

generate_pdf is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit generate_pdf? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the generate_pdf 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 generate_pdf completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for generate_pdf. 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 generate_pdf? +

generate_pdf is provided by the Server MCP server (@nest-mcp/server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.