# read_media_file

Read a file and return it as a base64-encoded content block with its MIME type. Image and audio files are returned as image/audio content; any other file type is returned as an embedded resource. Only works within allowed directories.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `read_media_file`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/read-media-file

## Facts

- Tool: `read_media_file`
- Server: Filesystem (`@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem.md
- Install: `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem`
- Homepage: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade D, identity verified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 1 (1 required)
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `path` | string | yes |  |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "read_media_file",
    "arguments": {
      "path": "<path>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Why read_media_file is rated Low

This tool retrieves and encodes file content for reading purposes only. It performs no modifications, deletions, or execution. The constraint to allowed directories further limits risk. This is a standard Read operation with low severity and high confidence.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name is 'read_media_file' and description states 'Read a file and return it as a base64-encoded content block'. The verb 'Read' combined with 'return' indicates data retrieval with no modification."

Risk signals: Accepts file system path (path)

## Use case

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

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Filesystem:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "read_media_file": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Filesystem (13)

- `directory_tree` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/directory-tree.md
- `get_file_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/get-file-info.md
- `list_allowed_directories` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/list-allowed-directories.md
- `list_directory` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/list-directory.md
- `list_directory_with_sizes` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/list-directory-with-sizes.md
- `read_file` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/read-file.md
- `read_multiple_files` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/read-multiple-files.md
- `read_text_file` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/read-text-file.md
- `search_files` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/search-files.md
- `create_directory` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/create-directory.md
- `edit_file` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/edit-file.md
- `move_file` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/move-file.md
- `write_file` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/filesystem/write-file.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=filesystem · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/filesystem