view_file_around_line

ServerDap
CategoryRead

WHAT IT DOES

What view_file_around_line does on Dap

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

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why view_file_around_line needs a policy

This tool retrieves and displays source code content without any side effects or state modifications. It is a pure query operation used for code inspection during debugging sessions. The severity is low because misuse results only in unintended code visibility, not in altered system state or execution.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'view_file_around_line' and description explicitly states it 'Returns the lines of source code' with no capability to modify, delete, or execute. The recommendation to 'ALWAYS prefer this tool if you are reading code' confirms its read-only nature.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access view_file_around_line gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control view_file_around_line

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Dap, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for view_file_around_line:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "view_file_around_line": {}
  }
}

view_file_around_line is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Dap — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about view_file_around_line

What does the view_file_around_line tool do? +

Returns the lines of source code and the source code around the specified line. You should ALWAYS prefer this tool if you are reading code. Because it will show the line number, which is crucial for debugging. If. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Dap MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on view_file_around_line? +

Register the Dap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for view_file_around_line: 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 Dap. Nothing to install.

What risk level is view_file_around_line? +

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

Can I rate-limit view_file_around_line? +

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

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

view_file_around_line is provided by the Dap MCP server (kashuncheng/dap_mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Dap tool call.

Start from Dap, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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