code_search

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why code_search needs a policy

This tool retrieves code matching search criteria from a ServiceNow instance without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a read-only query operation. Severity is low because search results pose minimal risk—they cannot change system state or trigger side effects.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'code_search' and description states it will 'Search for code across a ServiceNow instance using the Code Search API.' The verb 'search' and the stated purpose of querying/retrieving code indicates no modifications, deletions, or execution of…

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access code_search gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control code_search

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Now Sdk Ext, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for code_search:

policy.json

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

code_search is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Now Sdk Ext — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Now Sdk Ext tools

Destructive cancel_flow Cancel a running or paused flow execution by its context ID. Destructive query_delete_records Find records matching an encoded query and delete them all. Execute aggregate_grouped Run aggregate functions (COUNT, AVG, MIN, MAX, SUM) grouped by a field on any Execute execute_action Execute a ServiceNow Flow Designer action by scoped name. Execute execute_flow Execute a published ServiceNow Flow Designer flow by scoped name. Execute execute_script Execute JavaScript on a ServiceNow instance using Scripts - Background Execute execute_subflow Execute a ServiceNow Flow Designer subflow by scoped name. Execute run_atf_test Execute a single ServiceNow ATF (Automated Test Framework) test by its sys_id.

All 86 Now Sdk Ext tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about code_search

What does the code_search tool do? +

Search for code across a ServiceNow instance using the Code Search API. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Now Sdk Ext MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on code_search? +

Register the Now Sdk Ext MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for code_search: 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 Now Sdk Ext. Nothing to install.

What risk level is code_search? +

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

Can I rate-limit code_search? +

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

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

code_search is provided by the Now Sdk Ext MCP server (sonisoft-cnanda/now-sdk-ext-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Now Sdk Ext tool call.

Start from Now Sdk Ext, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →