drive_read_file
Read a file from a drive. Text comes back as utf-8 content; binary as contentBase64. Files over 1 MB are refused (use the skill scripts).
This record as markdown: /tools/ai-dataecho-mcp/drive-read-file.md
What drive_read_file does on Mcp
AI agents call drive_read_file to retrieve information from Mcp without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
path | string | Yes | File path in the drive |
drive | string | Yes | Drive name or drv_… id |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why drive_read_file is rated Low
This tool retrieves file contents from a drive with no side effects, no data modification, and no destructive capability. It is a straightforward read operation. The 1 MB file size limit is a safety constraint, not indicative of higher risk. Severity is low because unauthorized file reads depend on what secrets/data exist in the drive, but the tool itself has minimal blast radius without additional context.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'drive_read_file' and description explicitly states 'Read a file from a drive.' Returns file content without modification or deletion. Binary files returned as base64, text as utf-8.
Risk signalsAccepts file system path (path)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs drive_read_file safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Mcp, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For drive_read_file, this is the rule to start with:
drive_read_file is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Mcp, apply this rule, and every drive_read_file call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about drive_read_file
Read a file from a drive. Text comes back as utf-8 content; binary as contentBase64. Files over 1 MB are refused (use the skill scripts). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
drive_read_file accepts 2 parameters: path, drive. Required: path, drive. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for drive_read_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 Mcp. Nothing to install.
drive_read_file 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 drive_read_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for drive_read_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.
drive_read_file is provided by the MCP server (https://dataecho.ai/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
More on , and thousands of servers like it.
This server
Across the catalogue