Read-only EC2/SSM setup checks; does not launch instances.
AI agents call check_ec2_setup to retrieve information from AWS Notebook Runner MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries or inspects existing AWS EC2 and Systems Manager (SSM) configuration without modifying, launching, or executing anything. It performs validation checks only, which is a non-destructive, side-effect-free read operation. The explicit disclaimer 'does not launch instances' rules out Execute category. Severity is low because checking setup has minimal blast radius—it cannot harm systems or data.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'Read-only EC2/SSM setup checks; does not launch instances.' The name 'check_ec2_setup' and 'setup checks' indicate diagnostic/inspection operations.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Read-only EC2/SSM setup checks; does not launch instances. It is categorised as a Read tool in the AWS Notebook Runner MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the AWS Notebook Runner MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for check_ec2_setup: 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 AWS Notebook Runner MCP. Nothing to install.
check_ec2_setup 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 check_ec2_setup 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 check_ec2_setup. 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.
check_ec2_setup is provided by the AWS Notebook Runner MCP server (yummytastycode/aws-notebook-runner-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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →