show_ansible_reference

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why show_ansible_reference needs a policy

This tool provides read-only access to Ansible command documentation and examples. It returns static reference material and does not execute commands, modify configurations, or trigger any infrastructure changes. The action is purely informational retrieval with no side effects.

From the tool's definition Tool is described as 'Get Ansible commands reference and cheatsheet' — this retrieves reference documentation and informational content without modifying any systems or data.

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

POLICY

How to control show_ansible_reference

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 show_ansible_reference:

policy.json

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

show_ansible_reference 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

Related tools and policies

More IT Tools MCP Server tools

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All 119 IT Tools MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

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 show_ansible_reference

What does the show_ansible_reference tool do? +

Get Ansible commands reference and cheatsheet. 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 show_ansible_reference? +

Register the IT Tools MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for show_ansible_reference: 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 show_ansible_reference? +

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

Can I rate-limit show_ansible_reference? +

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

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

show_ansible_reference 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 →