mediaDownload

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why mediaDownload needs a policy

This tool writes data to the local filesystem by downloading media content. It creates new files on disk, which is a Write operation. While downloading is a form of reading from the remote source, the primary effect is writing/creating files locally. Severity is medium as it could be used to exfiltrate or store potentially sensitive media content from Telegram messages.

From the tool's definition Downloads media from a message to a local file

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

POLICY

How to control mediaDownload

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "mediaDownload": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "mediadownload_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

mediaDownload stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Telegram MCP Server tools

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All 38 Telegram MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about mediaDownload

What does the mediaDownload tool do? +

Downloads media from a message to a local file. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Telegram MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on mediaDownload? +

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

What risk level is mediaDownload? +

mediaDownload is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit mediaDownload? +

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

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

mediaDownload is provided by the Telegram MCP Server MCP server (kfastov/tgcli). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Telegram MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →