Reads a secret from /var/secrets/{name}.txt to verify SkyStage secret mounting
AI agents call read_secret to retrieve information from SkyStage MCP Test Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves sensitive secrets from the filesystem without modifying or deleting them, placing it in the Read category. However, severity is high because secrets are inherently sensitive data—unauthorized access could compromise authentication, encryption keys, or other critical credentials. An AI agent with this capability could exfiltrate secrets if given a name parameter under attacker control.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'read_secret' and description states it 'Reads a secret from /var/secrets/{name}.txt'. The verb 'Reads' and absence of any modification language confirms retrieval-only behavior.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Reads a secret from /var/secrets/{name}.txt to verify SkyStage secret mounting. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SkyStage MCP Test Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the SkyStage MCP Test Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for read_secret: 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 SkyStage MCP Test Server. Nothing to install.
read_secret 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 read_secret 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 read_secret. 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.
read_secret is provided by the SkyStage MCP Test Server MCP server (mallikarjun-angadi/skystage-mcp-test-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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