AI agents call obsidian_get_backlinks to retrieve information from Obsidian without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a read-only query of the Obsidian vault's link graph to identify backlinks to a specified note. It retrieves information with no side effects, no data modification, and no code execution. The operation is analogous to a search or list function that surfaces existing metadata.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'obsidian_get_backlinks' and description 'Returns notes that link to the target note' indicate a query operation that retrieves existing data about note relationships without modifying, deleting, or executing actions.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Returns notes that link to the target note. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for obsidian_get_backlinks: 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 Obsidian. Nothing to install.
obsidian_get_backlinks 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 obsidian_get_backlinks 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 obsidian_get_backlinks. 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.
obsidian_get_backlinks is provided by the Obsidian MCP server (yuchi-chang/obsidian-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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