run_kics · Terraform Best Practices MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What run_kics does on Terraform Best Practices

AI agents invoke run_kics to trigger actions in Terraform Best Practices. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why run_kics needs a policy

This tool runs KICS (Keeps Infrastructure as Code Secure), an external security scanning engine. While non-destructive, it executes an external scanning operation whose behavior and output depend on the arguments (Terraform code provided). This is Execute rather than Read because it actively runs a security tool/scanner rather than simply retrieving pre-computed data.

From the tool's definition Run kics IaC scanning against Terraform code. KICS is a static analysis security scanner that executes scanning operations against infrastructure-as-code artifacts, which constitutes execution of external tooling whose effects depend on the Terraform code…

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

run_kics Rate-limited

run_kics stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "run_kics": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_kics_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Terraform Best Practices, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about run_kics

What does the run_kics tool do? +

Run kics IaC scanning against Terraform code. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Terraform Best Practices MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on run_kics? +

Register the Terraform Best Practices MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run_kics: 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 Terraform Best Practices. Nothing to install.

What risk level is run_kics? +

run_kics is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit run_kics? +

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

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

run_kics is provided by the Terraform Best Practices MCP server (@downatthebottomofthemolehole/terraform-best-practices-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.