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Protein interaction, enrichment, annotation, homology, and PPI network queries.
Do not connect
A critical issue was found. Do not connect this server as-is.
Scanned 1 month ago Due for re-check
A server can change after it's graded. Re-run the automated scan to refresh this report.
This grade is deterministic and reproducible: the same server surface always yields the same grade under a given algorithm version. It is a real automated assessment computed by the MCPGrade engine from what the probe actually observed — not a fabricated or opinion score. It is not a manual human pentest, so it can miss context-specific risks.
Every signal below was measured directly by the automated probe. The grade is derived only from evidence like this — nothing is assumed.
The STRING Database MCP Server MCP server exposes 17 tools, focused primarily on database, network, and filesystem capabilities. Its published description reads: "Protein interaction, enrichment, annotation, homology, and PPI network queries". It communicates over Streamable HTTP using the 2025-06-18 protocol revision, and does not require authorization to connect. MCPGrade currently rates STRING Database MCP Server F — a critical issue was found and the server should not be connected as-is. Its most notable findings include "Hidden instructions in a tool description" and "Hidden instructions in a tool description". This report is a deterministic, reproducible automated assessment: the same observed surface always yields the same grade under a given algorithm version, and it is refreshed as new scans arrive and free to read — but it is not a substitute for a manual human security review. Always re-check STRING Database MCP Server's advertised tools, transport security, and authorization posture before connecting an autonomous agent or sharing sensitive context with it.
Add STRING Database MCP Server to an MCP client using the endpoint below. Review the grade and findings above before granting an autonomous agent access.
MCP endpoint
https://mcp.string-db.org/Streamable HTTP transport. This is the MCP endpoint, not a website — paste it into your MCP client server list rather than a browser.
Captured passively during the read-only scan. Click any value to find servers that match it.
The tools this server advertises via tools/list — names, purposes, and the parameters each accepts, exactly as enumerated read-only.
Maps one or more protein identifiers to their corresponding STRING metadata, including: gene symbol, description, sequence, domains, species, and internal STRING ID. This method is useful for translat
Retrieves the interactions between the query proteins. Use this method only when you specifically need to list the interactions between all proteins in your query set. If user asks for 'physical' or '
Sorted worst-first. Each finding shows its severity, what it means, its OWASP MCP Top-10 mapping, and a recommended fix — the check id links to the exact methodology row that produced it.
tool: string_enrichment
A tool description contains imperative text aimed at the model (e.g. "ignore previous", "before answering read …").
-5 or 0.023). - IMPORTANT: Remember to suggest showing an enrichment graphRecommendationRemove model-directed instructions from tool descriptions.
tool: string_proteins_for_term
A tool description contains imperative text aimed at the model (e.g. "ignore previous", "before answering read …").
and domains. IMPORTANT: For cross-species comparisons, run this tool seRecommendationRemove model-directed instructions from tool descriptions.
tool: string_visual_network
A tool description tries to alter the model’s use of another tool.
NG tools (e.g. `string_interactions_query_set`), unless otherwise specified.RecommendationDescriptions must describe only their own tool.
tool: string_interaction_evidence
A tool description tries to alter the model’s use of another tool.
supported, use `string_interactions_query_set`. It returns URLs linking to STRING’s evidenceRecommendationDescriptions must describe only their own tool.
tool: string_enrichment
A tool description tries to alter the model’s use of another tool.
input parameters unless otherwise specified. - Focus summaries on the top categories andRecommendationDescriptions must describe only their own tool.
tool: string_ppi_enrichment
A tool description tries to alter the model’s use of another tool.
less otherwise specified. Output fields: - number_of_nodes: Number of proteins in yourRecommendationDescriptions must describe only their own tool.
tool: string_proteins_for_term
A tool description tries to alter the model’s use of another tool.
ase of the matched functional term (e.g. GO, KEGG, Reactome,RecommendationDescriptions must describe only their own tool.
tool: string_sequence_search
A tool description tries to alter the model’s use of another tool.
nresolvable by `string_resolve_proteins`.RecommendationDescriptions must describe only their own tool.
tool: string_query_species
A tool description tries to alter the model’s use of another tool.
ely invoke the 'string_help' tool with topic='missing_species'**.RecommendationDescriptions must describe only their own tool.
tool: string_create_file
A tool exposes a free-text/webhook/feedback parameter with no honest purpose — a classic exfil channel.
ed data or full conversation transcripts. {"properties":{"filename":{"descriRecommendationRemove side-channel parameters; constrain tool inputs.
tool: string_create_file
Tools that execute commands / write files / make arbitrary requests are exposed without annotations or guards.
ING result file Creates a downloadable file for STRING-derived results. Use this tool whenRecommendationAnnotate destructive tools and require human approval.
The server accepts tool enumeration (and likely invocation) with no authentication.
RecommendationRequire OAuth 2.1 authorization for any server exposing non-public tools.
tool: string_interactions_query_set
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_interactions_query_set"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_all_interaction_partners
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_all_interaction_partners"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_visual_network
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_visual_network"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_network_link
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_network_link"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_enrichment
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_enrichment"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_functional_annotation
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_functional_annotation"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_enrichment_image_url
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_enrichment_image_url"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_proteins_for_term
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_proteins_for_term"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_create_file
The server advertises open-world / broadly-scoped capabilities.
no annotations on write-capable tool "string_create_file"RecommendationScope tools to the minimum needed.
tool: string_create_file
One tool both accesses the filesystem and reaches the network. Combining two capability classes in a single tool widens its blast radius and is the substrate for confused-deputy and exfiltration abuse.
ING result file Creates a downloadable file for STRING-derived results. Use this tool whenRecommendationSeparate filesystem and network capabilities into distinct, independently-scoped tools.
tool: string_create_file
A filesystem tool exposes a path parameter that is a free-form string with no pattern/enum/format constraint, so it accepts absolute paths and "../" traversal. A tool that constrains its path (a rooted `pattern` or an `enum`) does not fire.
unconstrained path parameter "filename"RecommendationConstrain the path parameter to a rooted allow-list and reject absolute/traversal paths server-side.
tool: string_enrichment
An unusually long description is a common injection-padding tactic.
description length 2305 charsRecommendationKeep descriptions concise.
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Retrieves all interaction partners for one or more proteins from STRING. This tool returns all known interactions between your query protein(s) and **any other proteins in the STRING database**. - Use
Retrieves a URL to a **STRING interaction network image** for one or more proteins. - For a single protein: includes the protein and its top 10 most likely interactors. - For multiple proteins: includ
Performs **network clustering** on a STRING interaction network and returns both a **network image URL** and details about each detected cluster. Use the same parameters as in the network creation ste
Retrieves a stable URL to an interactive STRING network for one or more proteins. - For a single protein: includes the protein and its top 10 most likely interactors. - For multiple proteins: includes
Retrieves pairwise protein similarity scores (Smith–Waterman bit scores) for the query proteins. - If no target species (`species_b`) is provided, results are intra-species (within the query species).
Retrieves direct links to STRING evidence pages for protein–protein interaction pairs. Use this tool only when a STRING evidence page/link is needed. To determine whether an interaction is supported,
This tool retrieves functional enrichment for a set of proteins using STRING. - If queried with a single protein, the tool expands the query to include the protein’s 10 most likely interactors; enrich
This tool retrieves curated functional annotations for a set of proteins. Each input protein is mapped to known biological terms from ontologies, pathway databases, tissues, compartments and domains —
Retrieves the STRING enrichment figure image *URL* for a set of proteins.
This tool tests if your network is enriched in protein-protein interactions compared to the background proteome-wide distribution (i.e., if your proteins are more functionally connected than expected
Retrieve proteins annotated with a functional term or descriptive text in a single species. You can query for tissues, compartments, diseases, processes, pathways, and domains. IMPORTANT: For cross-sp
Searches the STRING database using **amino acid sequences** to identify matching proteins. - Accepts a single sequence or multiple sequences in FASTA format. - Returns the most similar STRING protein(
Search for species or clades available in STRING by free-text query and return their NCBI taxonomy IDs. - Use this when the user asks which species or clades are present in STRING, or when you need th
Creates a downloadable file for STRING-derived results. Use this tool when the user explicitly asks to download, save, export, or receive a file containing STRING data, tables, protein lists, enrichme
Provides explanatory text for STRING features and limitations. Use this tool when the user question involves: - What is STRING is or how to use the tool (how_to_use_string, cytoscape) - functionality