List service catalog categories from ServiceNow
AI agents call list_catalog_categories to retrieve information from ServiceNow MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves existing catalog category data from ServiceNow without modifying, executing external operations, deleting, or creating records. It is a straightforward data retrieval operation with minimal security impact. Low severity is appropriate as listing catalog categories poses minimal risk of harm if an agent misuses it.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_catalog_categories' and description 'List service catalog categories from ServiceNow' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects. The verb 'list' is explicitly a Read operation per the classification rules.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List service catalog categories from ServiceNow. 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 list_catalog_categories: 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.
list_catalog_categories 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_catalog_categories 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_catalog_categories. 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_catalog_categories is provided by the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server (shameerampcome/servicenow-mcp). 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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