create_ci_relationship · ServiceNow- MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create_ci_relationship does on ServiceNow-MCP

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why create_ci_relationship needs a policy

This tool creates new data relationships in the CMDB, which is reversible (relationships can be deleted or modified). It does not execute arbitrary code, delete data, or move money. The severity is medium because incorrect CMDB relationships could impact IT asset tracking, dependency mapping, and incident management workflows, but the blast radius is limited to relationship metadata rather than core infrastructure.

From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states '[Write] Create a relationship between two CMDB Configuration Items'. The action creates new relationship data in the CMDB (Configuration Management Database) which is a core IT asset repository.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create_ci_relationship Rate-limited

create_ci_relationship 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": {
    "create_ci_relationship": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_ci_relationship_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 ServiceNow-MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about create_ci_relationship

What does the create_ci_relationship tool do? +

[Write] Create a relationship between two CMDB Configuration Items. It is categorised as a Write tool in the ServiceNow-MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on create_ci_relationship? +

Register the ServiceNow- MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_ci_relationship: 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 ServiceNow-MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is create_ci_relationship? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_ci_relationship? +

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

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

create_ci_relationship is provided by the ServiceNow- MCP server (tedorigawa001/servicenow-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.