approve_request · Attendance MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What approve_request does on Attendance

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why approve_request needs a policy

This tool modifies HR/attendance records in a reversible manner (approval state can be undone by rejection or cancellation). It does not delete data (Destructive), execute arbitrary code (Execute), commit financial obligations (Financial), or merely read data (Read).

From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states it "Approve[s]" requests—a modification action. It changes the state of pending HR records (clock amendments, leave, OT requests) from unapproved to approved, which is reversible (requests can be rejected or cancelled as…

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

approve_request Rate-limited

approve_request 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "approve_request": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "approve_request_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Attendance, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about approve_request

What does the approve_request tool do? +

Approve a clock amendment (补卡), leave, or OT request (scenario 8). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Attendance MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on approve_request? +

Register the Attendance MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for approve_request: 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 Attendance. Nothing to install.

What risk level is approve_request? +

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

Can I rate-limit approve_request? +

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

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

approve_request is provided by the Attendance MCP server (wenmaubipo/attendance-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.