AI agents call get_backlinks to retrieve information from Ai Brain without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and queries existing metadata (backlinks) from a knowledge base without side effects. It is a read-only operation analogous to a search or list function. No data is created, modified, deleted, or executed. The low severity reflects minimal risk even if an AI agent calls it unprompted, as it only retrieves information about document relationships.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_backlinks' and description 'List documents that link TO the given document' indicates a query/retrieval operation with no data modification, creation, deletion, or external execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List documents that link TO the given document (incoming references). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ai Brain MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Ai Brain 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 Ai Brain. 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 Ai Brain MCP server (thejoshgriffith/ai-brain). 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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