AI agents call get_paper_references to retrieve information from Semanticscholar without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a data retrieval operation that queries and returns bibliographic information about references cited in a paper. It has no side effects, creates no new data, executes no code, and does not modify or delete anything. It is a straightforward read-only operation typical of academic search APIs.
From the tool's definition Tool retrieves a paper's reference list ("获取论文的参考文献列表" = 'get list of paper references'). The description indicates a query operation that returns cited works without modification or execution.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_paper_references gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Semanticscholar, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_paper_references:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_paper_references": {}
}
}get_paper_references is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
获取论文的参考文献列表（这篇论文引用了什么）. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Semanticscholar MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Semanticscholar MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_paper_references: 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 Semanticscholar. Nothing to install.
get_paper_references 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_paper_references 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_paper_references. 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_paper_references is provided by the Semanticscholar MCP server (xbghc/semanticscholar-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Semanticscholar, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
9 Semanticscholar tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.