gap_analysis_with_history

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why gap_analysis_with_history needs a policy

This tool reads NIST control data to analyze gaps (Read component) but the primary action is saving results to history and potentially creating remediation plans (Write component). Saving analysis results and creating remediation actions are reversible modifications to system state. It does not delete data (Destructive), execute arbitrary code (Execute), or move money (Financial).

From the tool's definition Tool performs 'gap analysis and save results to history' — the save/write operation is explicit in the description. Additionally, 'optional remediation planning' suggests the tool may create or modify remediation records.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access gap_analysis_with_history gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control gap_analysis_with_history

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and NIST MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for gap_analysis_with_history:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "gap_analysis_with_history": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "gap_analysis_with_history_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

gap_analysis_with_history stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register NIST MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More NIST MCP Server tools

Execute execute_compliance_workflow Execute an automated compliance workflow (Strand) Execute run_manual_check Run a manual compliance check for a control Execute start_continuous_monitoring Start continuous monitoring for a specific control Execute stop_continuous_monitoring Stop continuous monitoring for a control Write create_remediation_action Create a remediation action for a control Write register_connector Register a new connector for external system integration Write save_assessment Save assessment results to history Write update_remediation_status Update the status of a remediation action

All 44 NIST MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about gap_analysis_with_history

What does the gap_analysis_with_history tool do? +

Perform gap analysis and save results to history with optional remediation planning. It is categorised as a Write tool in the NIST MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on gap_analysis_with_history? +

Register the NIST MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gap_analysis_with_history: 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 NIST MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is gap_analysis_with_history? +

gap_analysis_with_history is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit gap_analysis_with_history? +

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

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

gap_analysis_with_history is provided by the NIST MCP Server MCP server (tnicholson/nist-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every NIST MCP Server tool call.

Start from NIST MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →