Low Risk

detect_fingerprint

Detect whether media has been previously registered or seen, using fingerprint matching. Compares against your indexed library at varying depth. Tiers: exact (hash match), quick (perceptual hash), perceptual (visual similarity), compositional (scene structure), full (all tiers). Returns results i...

Part of the Sidearm MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

AI agents call detect_fingerprint to retrieve information from Sidearm without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

Even though detect_fingerprint only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

sidearmdrm-sidearm.yaml
tools:
  detect_fingerprint:
    rules:
      - action: allow

See the full Sidearm policy for all 19 tools.

Tool Name detect_fingerprint
Category Read
MCP Server Sidearm MCP Server
Risk Level Low

View all 19 tools →

Agents calling read-class tools like detect_fingerprint have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.

What does the detect_fingerprint tool do? +

Detect whether media has been previously registered or seen, using fingerprint matching. Compares against your indexed library at varying depth. Tiers: exact (hash match), quick (perceptual hash), perceptual (visual similarity), compositional (scene structure), full (all tiers). Returns results immediately.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Sidearm MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on detect_fingerprint? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for detect_fingerprint. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Sidearm MCP server.

What risk level is detect_fingerprint? +

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

Can I rate-limit detect_fingerprint? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the detect_fingerprint rule in your Intercept 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 detect_fingerprint completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for detect_fingerprint. 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 detect_fingerprint? +

detect_fingerprint is provided by the Sidearm MCP server (sidearmdrm/sidearm). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policies on Sidearm

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.

npx -y @policylayer/intercept
github.com/policylayer/intercept →
// GET IN TOUCH

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