get_stale_context

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_stale_context needs a policy

This tool retrieves and queries existing knowledge graph data (stale/decayed relationships) without creating, modifying, deleting, executing commands, or moving money. It has read-only semantics with no side effects. The data returned is informational for the developer to assess context validity. Severity is low as misuse would only surface outdated information, not cause system damage or data loss.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Returns relationships...as a Markdown string' — a retrieval operation with no modification of data. The name 'get_stale_context' and verb 'Returns' indicate a query operation only.

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

POLICY

How to control get_stale_context

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

policy.json

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

get_stale_context 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 Memex — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Memex tools

Destructive invalidate_edge Explicitly invalidates a graph edge when it is discovered to be stale or incorrect. Return Write record_decision Creates a Decision node in the graph. Call this when making or discovering architectural c Write record_problem Creates a Problem node in the graph. Call this when discovering bugs or technical debt. Re Write resolve_problem Marks a Problem as closed and records the resolution. Returns a status string. Read explain_change Cross-references a git commit Read get_context_briefing Returns a ranked, token-capped briefing of the most important Read get_open_problems Returns currently open technical problems and TODOs sorted by severity as a Markdown strin Read get_project_context Returns a compressed briefing of the project as a Markdown string: active modules, recent

All 13 Memex 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 get_stale_context

What does the get_stale_context tool do? +

Returns relationships that have decayed in confidence and may be outdated as a Markdown string. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Memex MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_stale_context? +

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

What risk level is get_stale_context? +

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

Can I rate-limit get_stale_context? +

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

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

get_stale_context is provided by the Memex MCP server (stifler7/memex). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Memex tool call.

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

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