update_all_cross_references

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why update_all_cross_references needs a policy

The tool modifies document content (cross-references) within an InDesign book. This is reversible through undo/editing, making it a Write operation rather than Destructive. The blast radius is medium because cross-reference updates could affect document layout and internal links across multiple pages/sections, but the changes are not permanent and can be corrected.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'update' and description states 'Update all cross references in a book', indicating modification of existing document content.

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

POLICY

How to control update_all_cross_references

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "update_all_cross_references": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "update_all_cross_references_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

update_all_cross_references stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register InDesign 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.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More InDesign MCP Server tools

Destructive cleanup_document Clean up document (remove unused elements) Destructive clear_session Clear all session data including page dimensions and document information Destructive delete_all_page_layout_snapshots Delete all layout snapshots for a page Destructive delete_master_spread Delete a master spread Destructive delete_page Delete a page from the document Destructive delete_page_item Delete a page item Destructive delete_page_layout_snapshot Delete the layout snapshot for a page Destructive delete_spread Delete a spread

All 135 InDesign MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about update_all_cross_references

What does the update_all_cross_references tool do? +

Update all cross references in a book. It is categorised as a Write tool in the InDesign MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_all_cross_references? +

Register the InDesign MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for update_all_cross_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 InDesign MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is update_all_cross_references? +

update_all_cross_references is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit update_all_cross_references? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_all_cross_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.

How do I block update_all_cross_references completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for update_all_cross_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.

What MCP server provides update_all_cross_references? +

update_all_cross_references is provided by the InDesign MCP Server MCP server (zachshallbetter/indesign-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every InDesign MCP Server tool call.

Start from InDesign 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 →