search_knowledge
Search knowledge base articles by keyword
This record as markdown: /tools/servicenow-mcp-server/search-knowledge.md
What search_knowledge does on ServiceNow MCP Server
AI agents call search_knowledge 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.
Why search_knowledge is rated Low
This tool queries and retrieves knowledge base articles based on search criteria. It has no side effects, does not modify, delete, or execute operations. It is purely informational retrieval, fitting the Read category with low severity since misuse would only result in unauthorized information access rather than operational damage.
From the tool's definition Tool name and description: 'Search knowledge base articles by keyword' - explicitly a search operation that retrieves information without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs search_knowledge 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 search_knowledge, this is the rule to start with:
search_knowledge is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect ServiceNow MCP Server, apply this rule, and every search_knowledge call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about search_knowledge
Search knowledge base articles by keyword. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_knowledge: 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.
search_knowledge 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 search_knowledge 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 search_knowledge. 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.
search_knowledge 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.
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