Query detailed vulnerability information from Shodan
AI agents call cve_lookup to retrieve information from Mcp Shodan without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries vulnerability information from a database without modifying, executing operations, or causing destructive actions. While vulnerability information could be sensitive, the tool itself only retrieves existing data.
From the tool's definition Tool performs 'Query detailed vulnerability information' which is a retrieval operation with no side effects. The description uses the verb 'Query' which indicates data retrieval.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Query detailed vulnerability information from Shodan. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Shodan MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Shodan MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for cve_lookup: 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 Mcp Shodan. Nothing to install.
cve_lookup 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 cve_lookup 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 cve_lookup. 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.
cve_lookup is provided by the Mcp Shodan MCP server (w0h1v/mcp-shodan). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.