AI agents call get_item to retrieve information from STAC 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 or queries a specific geospatial dataset item without any side effects. It is a straightforward read operation that accesses existing data through identifiers. There is no capability to modify, delete, execute code, or commit financial transactions. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an AI agent could retrieve unwanted data but cannot alter systems or cause irreversible damage.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Get a specific STAC Item by collection and item ID', using the retrieval verb 'Get' with no mention of modification, deletion, or execution capabilities.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_item gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and STAC MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_item:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_item": {}
}
}get_item is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get a specific STAC Item by collection and item ID. It is categorised as a Read tool in the STAC MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the STAC MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_item: 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 STAC MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_item 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 get_item 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 get_item. 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.
get_item is provided by the STAC MCP Server MCP server (wayfinder-foundry/stac-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from STAC MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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10 STAC MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.