Search for files in a directory matching a pattern
AI agents call search_files to retrieve information from System Information MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves information about files matching a pattern without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a classic Read operation with minimal blast radius if misused—an AI agent could search broadly but cannot cause data loss or unwanted state changes.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_files' and description 'Search for files in a directory matching a pattern' indicate a query/search operation with no side effects. No modification, deletion, or execution capability is described.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search for files in a directory matching a pattern. It is categorised as a Read tool in the System Information MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the System Information MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_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 System Information MCP Server. Nothing to install.
search_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 search_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 search_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.
search_files is provided by the System Information MCP Server MCP server (markolive1501/mcp). 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.
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