semantic_search
AI agents call semantic_search to retrieve information from Metis Public Health without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Semantic search retrieves and queries data from an indexed knowledge base without creating, modifying, deleting, executing code, or moving funds. The operation is read-only with no side effects. Severity is low because the tool only exposes information already in the user's own local library, with no capability to alter state or execute operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'semantic_search' which, by standard terminology in information retrieval and library systems, performs a search operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
semantic_search. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Metis Public Health MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Metis Public Health MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for semantic_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 Metis Public Health. Nothing to install.
semantic_search 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 semantic_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for semantic_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.
semantic_search is provided by the Metis Public Health MCP server (sveritg/metis_ph). 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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