query_update_records

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why query_update_records needs a policy

This tool performs a bulk update on all records matching a query, modifying potentially many records at once. While updates are technically reversible, the mass/bulk nature significantly raises the blast radius — an AI agent with a broad query could overwrite data across many records simultaneously.

From the tool's definition Find records matching an encoded query and update them all with the specified data.

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

POLICY

How to control query_update_records

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 query_update_records:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "query_update_records": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "query_update_records_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

query_update_records stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. 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.

LIMIT 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 →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about query_update_records

What does the query_update_records tool do? +

Find records matching an encoded query and update them all with the specified data. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Now Sdk Ext MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on query_update_records? +

Register the Now Sdk Ext MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for query_update_records: 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 query_update_records? +

query_update_records is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit query_update_records? +

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

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

query_update_records 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 →