format_json

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why format_json needs a policy

This tool only formats/prettifies JSON data for display purposes. It performs a pure transformation with no side effects, no data persistence, and no external operations. It reads input JSON and returns a formatted version, making it a Read/transform operation with minimal risk.

From the tool's definition Format and prettify JSON with proper indentation

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

POLICY

How to control format_json

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "format_json": {}
  }
}

format_json is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register IT Tools MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about format_json

What does the format_json tool do? +

Format and prettify JSON with proper indentation. Example: {. It is categorised as a Read tool in the IT Tools MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on format_json? +

Register the IT Tools MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for format_json: 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 IT Tools MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is format_json? +

format_json is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit format_json? +

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

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

format_json is provided by the IT Tools MCP Server MCP server (wrenchpilot/it-tools-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every IT Tools MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →