AI agents call get_clipboard to retrieve information from Mac without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only retrieves data from the clipboard with no side effects. It does not modify, delete, or execute any code. The severity is low because clipboard content is typically ephemeral and within the local system context, posing minimal risk even if accessed by an AI agent. Classification as Read is appropriate per the defined category: 'retrieves or queries data; no side effects'.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_clipboard' and description 'Reads current clipboard content (text, image paths, or file paths)' — the verb 'Reads' and action of retrieving clipboard data without modification indicates a read-only operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Reads current clipboard content (text, image paths, or file paths). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mac MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mac MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_clipboard: 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 Mac. Nothing to install.
get_clipboard 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 get_clipboard 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 get_clipboard. 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.
get_clipboard is provided by the Mac MCP server (laststance/mac-mcp-server). 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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