List issues in a GitHub repository with filtering options
AI agents call list_issues to retrieve information from GitHub MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and filters existing issue data without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a pure read operation that returns information about GitHub issues. The low severity reflects minimal risk from unauthorized access to issue metadata, as this is typically less sensitive than code or credentials.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_issues' and description states 'List issues in a GitHub repository with filtering options'. The verb 'list' and the function of retrieving/querying issues with filters indicates data retrieval with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List issues in a GitHub repository with filtering options. It is categorised as a Read tool in the GitHub MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the GitHub MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_issues: 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 GitHub MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_issues 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_issues 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_issues. 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_issues is provided by the GitHub MCP Server MCP server (tuanle96/mcp-github). 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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