update_article · SparrowDesk MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What update_article does on SparrowDesk

AI agents use update_article to create or update resources in SparrowDesk — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your SparrowDesk environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why update_article needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by updating knowledge base article drafts and optionally publishing them. The changes can be reverted or unpublished later, making this a Write operation rather than Destructive. The moderate severity reflects that an AI agent could modify knowledge base content seen by users, but the impact is limited to a specific article and reversible.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'update_article' and description states 'Update a KB article draft' with capability to 'publish after save'. These are modification actions.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

update_article Rate-limited

update_article 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches SparrowDesk, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about update_article

What does the update_article tool do? +

Update a KB article draft; set publish true with isPublic to publish after save. It is categorised as a Write tool in the SparrowDesk MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_article? +

Register the SparrowDesk MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_article: 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 SparrowDesk. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_article? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_article? +

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

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

update_article is provided by the SparrowDesk MCP server (sparrowdesk/sparrowdesk-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.