AI agents call get_citation to retrieve information from Zotero without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a data retrieval operation—fetching citation metadata or formatted citation text for a Zotero item. It has no side effects, does not modify the item database, does not execute code or external operations, and does not delete anything. It is functionally equivalent to a 'get' or 'fetch' operation and therefore falls squarely into the Read category with low severity.
From the tool's definition The tool 'get_citation' retrieves and returns citation information for a specific item. No description provided, but the name and context indicate a read-only query operation that does not modify, execute external operations, or delete data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get citation for a specific item. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Zotero MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Zotero MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_citation: 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 Zotero. Nothing to install.
get_citation 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_citation 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_citation. 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_citation is provided by the Zotero MCP server (cr625/zotero-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
get_citation is one line of Zotero's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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