list_groups

List groups with optional search filter

SERVERServiceNow MCP Server SOURCE@aartiq/servicenow-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/servicenow-mcp-server/list-groups.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_groups does on ServiceNow MCP Server

AI agents call list_groups to retrieve information from ServiceNow MCP Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why list_groups is rated Low

This tool retrieves group information from ServiceNow with optional filtering. It performs a query operation without modifying, deleting, or executing any changes. The presence of a search filter allows flexible querying but does not alter data. This is a straightforward Read category tool with low severity since listing groups poses minimal risk—it only exposes organizational structure information.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_groups' and description 'List groups with optional search filter' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs list_groups safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and ServiceNow MCP Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For list_groups, this is the rule to start with:

list_groups Allowed

list_groups is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_groups": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect ServiceNow MCP Server, apply this rule, and every list_groups call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about list_groups

What does the list_groups tool do? +

List groups with optional search filter. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_groups? +

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

What risk level is list_groups? +

list_groups is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_groups? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_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.

How do I block list_groups completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_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.

What MCP server provides list_groups? +

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

KEEP EXPLORING

More on ServiceNow MCP Server, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 365 ServiceNow MCP Server tools →

Across the catalogue

aiva_list_affiliates on AIVA MCP Server →list_agents on 0rca Dojo MCP Server → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Roll out MCP under one policy →Data exfiltration →MCP token cost →