block__getblocktxnscount

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why block__getblocktxnscount needs a policy

This tool queries Ethereum blockchain information to retrieve a transaction count for a given block. It performs no write, execute, destructive, or financial operations—it simply reads and returns data. The blast radius of misuse is minimal, as the only potential concern would be API rate limiting or resource exhaustion, which is low-severity.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'getblocktxnscount' and description 'Returns the number of transactions in a specified block' indicate a query operation that retrieves blockchain data without modifying state.

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

POLICY

How to control block__getblocktxnscount

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

policy.json

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

block__getblocktxnscount 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 Etherscan MCP — 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 →

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Etherscan MCP tools

Execute proxy__eth_call Executes a new message call immediately without creating a transaction on the block chain. Execute proxy__eth_estimateGas Makes a call or transaction, which won Read account__balance Returns the Ether balance of a given address. Read account__balancemulti Get Ether Balance for Multiple Addresses in a Single Call Read account__fundedby Returns the address that funded an address, and its relative age. Read account__getminedblocks Returns the list of blocks validated by an address. Read account__token1155tx Returns the list of ERC1155 Token Transfer Events by Address Read account__tokenbalance Returns the current balance of an ERC-20 token of an address.

All 56 Etherscan MCP tools →

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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 block__getblocktxnscount

What does the block__getblocktxnscount tool do? +

Returns the number of transactions in a specified block. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Etherscan MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on block__getblocktxnscount? +

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

What risk level is block__getblocktxnscount? +

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

Can I rate-limit block__getblocktxnscount? +

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

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

block__getblocktxnscount is provided by the Etherscan MCP server (xiaok/etherscan-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Etherscan MCP tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →