AI agents call get_selected_files 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 queries and returns information about the current state of the Finder (which files are selected), without modifying, executing, or deleting anything. It is a pure read operation with minimal risk if invoked by an AI agent, as it merely exposes already-visible UI state.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_selected_files' and description 'Gets paths of files currently selected in Finder' indicate a retrieval operation with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Gets paths of files currently selected in Finder. 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_selected_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 Mac. Nothing to install.
get_selected_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 get_selected_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 get_selected_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.
get_selected_files 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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