This retrieves a list of all Budget Functions ordered by their title
AI agents call list_budget_functions to retrieve information from Usaspending without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and returns a static list of budget functions from USASPENDING.gov. It performs no write, delete, execute, or financial operations. The action is a simple read-only lookup with minimal blast radius if misused by an AI agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_budget_functions' and description 'retrieves a list of all Budget Functions' explicitly indicate data retrieval with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
This retrieves a list of all Budget Functions ordered by their title. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Usaspending MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Usaspending MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_budget_functions: 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 Usaspending. Nothing to install.
list_budget_functions 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 list_budget_functions 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 list_budget_functions. 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.
list_budget_functions is provided by the Usaspending MCP server (thsmale/usaspending-mcp-server). 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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