AI agents call describe_tools to retrieve information from Todos without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and returns documentation/metadata about tools. It has no side effects, does not modify data, execute code, or trigger external operations. It is a simple informational query, making it a Read category tool with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_tools' and description 'Get detailed documentation for a specific tool including all parameters and descriptions' indicate a retrieval operation that queries tool metadata without modifying or executing anything.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get detailed documentation for a specific tool including all parameters and descriptions. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Todos MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Todos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_tools: 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 Todos. Nothing to install.
describe_tools 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 describe_tools 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 describe_tools. 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.
describe_tools is provided by the Todos MCP server (@hasna/todos). 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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