vm_agent_file_read

Read a file from inside a VM via the guest agent.

SERVERProxmox MCP Server SOURCEgethosthewalrus/proxmox-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/gethosthewalrus-proxmox-mcp/vm-agent-file-read.md

WHAT IT DOES

What vm_agent_file_read does on Proxmox MCP Server

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

RISK

Why vm_agent_file_read is rated Low

This tool retrieves file contents from within a virtual machine using the guest agent interface. It has no side effects, creates no modifications, executes no code, and performs no destructive operations. It is a straightforward read operation on VM filesystem data, making it the Read category with low severity since unauthorized file access depends heavily on the sensitivity of the data and existing access controls.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'read' and description explicitly states 'Read a file from inside a VM via the guest agent' - indicates file retrieval with no modification or deletion.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs vm_agent_file_read safely

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

vm_agent_file_read Allowed

vm_agent_file_read 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": {
    "vm_agent_file_read": {}
  }
}

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

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

FAQ

Questions about vm_agent_file_read

What does the vm_agent_file_read tool do? +

Read a file from inside a VM via the guest agent. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Proxmox MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on vm_agent_file_read? +

Register the Proxmox MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for vm_agent_file_read: 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 Proxmox MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is vm_agent_file_read? +

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

Can I rate-limit vm_agent_file_read? +

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

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

vm_agent_file_read is provided by the Proxmox MCP Server MCP server (gethosthewalrus/proxmox-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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