Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern.
AI agents call search_files to retrieve information from Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves information about files matching a search pattern. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any operations—only locates and returns matching file metadata. This is a pure read operation with minimal risk even if misused by an agent, as the worst outcome is information disclosure of filesystem structure.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_files' and description 'Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern' indicate data retrieval without modification or deletion. No side effects on the filesystem.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Recursively search for files and directories matching a pattern. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_files: 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 Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming). Nothing to install.
search_files 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 search_files 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 search_files. 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.
search_files is provided by the Filesystem MCP Server (HTTP Streaming) MCP server (jeswin/mcpfs). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
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