Find all notes that link to a specific note
AI agents call get_backlinks to retrieve information from Obsidian Tools MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only query operation that discovers and returns backlink relationships in an Obsidian vault. There are no modifications to data, no code execution triggered by arguments, and no destructive or financial implications. It is purely informational retrieval, placing it in the Read category with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_backlinks' and description 'Find all notes that link to a specific note' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects. The function queries existing data within the vault without creating, modifying, or deleting content.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Find all notes that link to a specific note. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian Tools MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian Tools MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_backlinks: 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 Obsidian Tools MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_backlinks is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_backlinks 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_backlinks. 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.
get_backlinks is provided by the Obsidian Tools MCP Server MCP server (sureshsankaran/obsidian-tools-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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