Search for text content within files in a directory (like grep). Returns matching lines with file paths and line numbers. Supports optional file pattern filtering and case-insensitive search.
AI agents call search_in_files to retrieve information from MCP PC Control Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
search_in_files retrieves and queries file content without side effects. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute anything. While the server offers destructive and execute capabilities (delete_file, execute_command), this specific tool is limited to searching and returning results. Severity is low because misuse results only in information disclosure, not system compromise or data loss.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Search[es] for text content within files' and 'Returns matching lines with file paths and line numbers' — pure retrieval with no modification or execution. The comparison to 'grep' confirms read-only semantics.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search for text content within files in a directory (like grep). Returns matching lines with file paths and line numbers. Supports optional file pattern filtering and case-insensitive search. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP PC Control Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP PC Control Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_in_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 MCP PC Control Server. Nothing to install.
search_in_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_in_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_in_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_in_files is provided by the MCP PC Control Server MCP server (koopatroopa787/first_mcp). 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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