AI agents call passoff_search to retrieve information from Passoff without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
passoff_search retrieves and queries existing handoff data to return search results. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any operations—it only reads and returns information. This is a classic Read category tool with low severity since it cannot cause harm through misuse.
From the tool's definition Tool performs 'Full-text search across handoffs in the current project. Returns ranked hits with snippets.' This is a query operation with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Full-text search across handoffs in the current project. Returns ranked hits with snippets. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Passoff MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Passoff MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for passoff_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 Passoff. Nothing to install.
passoff_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 passoff_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 passoff_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.
passoff_search is provided by the Passoff MCP server (themrgu/ai-agent-context-passoff). 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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