AI agents call search_tasks to retrieve information from Timelog without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Even though search_tasks only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs — an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search for tasks the user can register time on. Returns task IDs needed for creating time registrations. Use searchText to filter by task or project name. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Timelog MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Timelog MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_tasks: 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 Timelog. Nothing to install.
search_tasks 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 search_tasks 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 search_tasks. 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.
search_tasks is provided by the Timelog MCP server (timelog-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.