Medium Risk

update_knowledge_base

Update a knowledge base's name or description.

How to control update_knowledge_base ↓

What update_knowledge_base does on Open WebUI MCP Server

AI agents use update_knowledge_base to create or update resources in Open WebUI MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Open WebUI MCP Server environment.

Medium Risk

Why update_knowledge_base needs a policy

This tool creates or modifies data reversibly. While it affects a knowledge base resource, the operation is not destructive (can be reverted by updating again), not financial, and does not execute arbitrary code. It is characteristic of a Write operation.

From the tool's definition update_knowledge_base - 'Update a knowledge base's name or description' modifies existing data (name/description fields) in a reversible manner without deletion.

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

How to control update_knowledge_base

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_knowledge_base": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_knowledge_base_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_knowledge_base 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.

  1. Create a free account and register Open WebUI MCP Server — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

Related tools and policies

Go deeper

Questions about update_knowledge_base

What does the update_knowledge_base tool do? +

Update a knowledge base's name or description. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Open WebUI 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 update_knowledge_base? +

Register the Open WebUI MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_knowledge_base: 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 Open WebUI MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_knowledge_base? +

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

Can I rate-limit update_knowledge_base? +

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

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

update_knowledge_base is provided by the Open WebUI MCP Server MCP server (troylar/open-webui-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 Open WebUI MCP Server tool call.

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

Free to start. No card required.

82 Open WebUI MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

// GET IN TOUCH

Have a question or want to learn more? Send us a message.

Message sent.

We'll get back to you soon.