AI agents call xrefs to retrieve information from BinAssistMCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Cross-reference (xref) tools in binary analysis systems retrieve metadata about code references and dependencies without modifying the binary or executing code. While the description is empty, the tool name and server context indicate this is a read-only query operation similar to other analysis tools on the same server.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'xrefs' (cross-references) in a binary analysis context typically queries/retrieves cross-reference data from a binary.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access xrefs gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and BinAssistMCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for xrefs:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"xrefs": {}
}
}xrefs is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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xrefs. It is categorised as a Read tool in the BinAssistMCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the BinAssist MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for xrefs: 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 BinAssistMCP. Nothing to install.
xrefs 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 xrefs 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 xrefs. 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.
xrefs is provided by the BinAssist MCP server (symgraph/binassistmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 44 BinAssistMCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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44 BinAssistMCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.