webdav_copy_remote_item

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why webdav_copy_remote_item needs a policy

Copy operations are Write-category because they create new data reversibly. While the operation modifies the remote filesystem state by adding a duplicate, it does not irreversibly delete or overwrite existing data (which would be Destructive), nor does it execute arbitrary code or external operations (which would be Execute).

From the tool's definition The tool description states it can 'Copy a file or directory to a new location on a remote WebDAV server'. Copying creates new data (the duplicate file/directory) at a destination location, which is a reversible modification operation.

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

POLICY

How to control webdav_copy_remote_item

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

policy.json

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

webdav_copy_remote_item 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 WebDAV 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 WebDAV MCP Server tools

Destructive webdav_delete_remote_item Delete a file or directory from a remote WebDAV server Write webdav_create_remote_directory Create a new directory on a remote WebDAV server Write webdav_create_remote_file Create a new file on a remote WebDAV server at the specified path Write webdav_move_remote_item Move or rename a file or directory on a remote WebDAV server Write webdav_update_remote_file Update an existing file on a remote WebDAV server with new content Read webdav_get_remote_file Retrieve content from a file stored on a remote WebDAV server Read webdav_list_remote_directory List files and directories at the specified path on a remote WebDAV server

All 8 WebDAV MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

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 webdav_copy_remote_item

What does the webdav_copy_remote_item tool do? +

Copy a file or directory to a new location on a remote WebDAV server. It is categorised as a Write tool in the WebDAV 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 webdav_copy_remote_item? +

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

What risk level is webdav_copy_remote_item? +

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

Can I rate-limit webdav_copy_remote_item? +

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

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

webdav_copy_remote_item is provided by the WebDAV MCP Server MCP server (laubplusco/mcp-webdav-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every WebDAV MCP Server tool call.

Start from WebDAV 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 →