moodle_download_file

Download a Moodle course file by its opaque fileId (from moodle_list_resources). Returns text for text/JSON/XML files; returns the raw bytes as an embedded resource for binary formats like PDFs, DOCX, images. The server fetches the file — you never need to fetch Moodle URLs directly.

SERVERMoodle SOURCE1alexandrer/moodle-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade A, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/1alexandrer-moodle-mcp/moodle-download-file.md

WHAT IT DOES

What moodle_download_file does on Moodle

AI agents call moodle_download_file to retrieve information from Moodle without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why moodle_download_file is rated Low

This tool retrieves and returns course files without modifying, creating, or deleting any data. It is a pure read operation that fetches existing files from a Moodle server. The blast radius is minimal—an agent could potentially read sensitive course materials, but this is a standard LMS access pattern and does not affect data integrity or enable destructive actions.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Download[s] a Moodle course file' and 'Returns text for text/JSON/XML files; returns the raw bytes as an embedded resource for binary formats'.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs moodle_download_file safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Moodle, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For moodle_download_file, this is the rule to start with:

moodle_download_file Allowed

moodle_download_file is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "moodle_download_file": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Moodle, apply this rule, and every moodle_download_file call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about moodle_download_file

What does the moodle_download_file tool do? +

How do I enforce a policy on moodle_download_file? +

Register the Moodle MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for moodle_download_file: 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 Moodle. Nothing to install.

What risk level is moodle_download_file? +

moodle_download_file is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit moodle_download_file? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the moodle_download_file 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 moodle_download_file completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for moodle_download_file. 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 moodle_download_file? +

moodle_download_file is provided by the Moodle MCP server (1alexandrer/moodle-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Moodle, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 14 Moodle tools →

Across the catalogue

get_file_snippet on ACE-MCP → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Roll out MCP under one policy →Data exfiltration →MCP token cost →