export_vault_pdf

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why export_vault_pdf needs a policy

This tool reads and compiles vault content into a PDF export. It retrieves/queries existing data without modifying the vault. However, severity is medium because it exports the *entire* vault, meaning an AI agent misusing it could exfiltrate all notes and sensitive knowledge base content in a single operation.

From the tool's definition Export entire vault as a single PDF with table of contents and navigation

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

POLICY

How to control export_vault_pdf

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

policy.json

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

export_vault_pdf 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 Obsidian 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.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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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 export_vault_pdf

What does the export_vault_pdf tool do? +

Export entire vault as a single PDF with table of contents and navigation. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on export_vault_pdf? +

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

What risk level is export_vault_pdf? +

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

Can I rate-limit export_vault_pdf? +

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

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

export_vault_pdf is provided by the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (kynlos/obsidian-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Obsidian MCP Server tool call.

Start from Obsidian 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 →