file_list

List directory contents on the server.

SERVERAapanel SOURCEnipunanirmal/aapanel-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/aapanel-mcp/file-list.md

WHAT IT DOES

What file_list does on Aapanel

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

RISK

Why file_list is rated Low

This tool performs a directory listing operation (ls/dir equivalent), which is a pure read operation that queries existing data with no side effects, no data modification, no code execution, and no destructive actions. The blast radius is minimal since it only reveals filesystem structure that an attacker might discover through other means.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'file_list' and description 'List directory contents on the server' indicates a read-only query operation that retrieves filesystem information without modifying or executing anything.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs file_list safely

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

file_list Allowed

file_list 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": {
    "file_list": {}
  }
}

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

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

FAQ

Questions about file_list

What does the file_list tool do? +

List directory contents on the server. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Aapanel MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on file_list? +

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

What risk level is file_list? +

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

Can I rate-limit file_list? +

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

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

file_list is provided by the Aapanel MCP server (nipunanirmal/aapanel-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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