Low Risk

list_files

List files and folders in OneDrive. Returns: Array of file/folder objects with id, name, type (file/folder), size, last_modified, and path information.

How to control list_files ↓

What list_files does on Microsoft Graph MCP Server

AI agents call list_files to retrieve information from Microsoft Graph MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Low Risk

Why list_files needs a policy

The tool performs a directory listing operation on OneDrive, returning metadata about files and folders without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. This is a pure query/retrieval action with minimal risk even if misused by an AI agent, as it only exposes file structure and metadata that the authenticated user already has access to.

From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'List files and folders' and 'Returns: Array of file/folder objects' — a read-only retrieval operation with no modification, deletion, or execution capability.

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

How to control list_files

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_files": {}
  }
}

list_files is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

  1. Create a free account and register Microsoft Graph MCP Server — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
CAP THIS TOOL →

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Related tools and policies

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Questions about list_files

What does the list_files tool do? +

List files and folders in OneDrive. Returns: Array of file/folder objects with id, name, type (file/folder), size, last_modified, and path information. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Microsoft Graph MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_files? +

Register the Microsoft Graph MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_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 Microsoft Graph MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_files? +

list_files is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_files? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_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.

How do I block list_files completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_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.

What MCP server provides list_files? +

list_files is provided by the Microsoft Graph MCP Server MCP server (marlonluo2018/microsoft_graph_mcp_server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Microsoft Graph MCP Server tool call.

Start from Microsoft Graph MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

Free to start. No card required.

19 Microsoft Graph MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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