Retrieve a specific memory by its ID.
AI agents call memory_retrieve to retrieve information from MCP Router without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool retrieves stored memory data by identifier only. This is a read-only query operation that does not create, modify, delete, or execute external actions. While the MCP Router manages access control and audit logging, the tool itself has no blast radius beyond information disclosure of already-stored data.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'memory_retrieve' and description 'Retrieve a specific memory by its ID' indicate a data retrieval operation with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Retrieve a specific memory by its ID. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Router MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Router MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for memory_retrieve: 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 Router. Nothing to install.
memory_retrieve 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 memory_retrieve 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 memory_retrieve. 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.
memory_retrieve is provided by the MCP Router MCP server (justinpreston/mcp-router). 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.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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