Get the most recent emails from a specific folder
AI agents call get_recent_emails to retrieve information from Mcp Imap without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and queries email data with no side effects or mutations. It fits the Read category definition: 'retrieves or queries data; no side effects.' The server's emphasis on read-only access and absence of write/delete capability confirms low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Get the most recent emails from a specific folder' and server description emphasizes 'read-only access to email accounts.' The tool retrieves email data without modifying, deleting, or executing operations.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_recent_emails gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Mcp Imap, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_recent_emails:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_recent_emails": {}
}
}get_recent_emails is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get the most recent emails from a specific folder. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Imap MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Imap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_recent_emails: 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 Mcp Imap. Nothing to install.
get_recent_emails 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_recent_emails 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_recent_emails. 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_recent_emails is provided by the Mcp Imap MCP server (mattias242/mcp-imap-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Mcp Imap, 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.
5 Mcp Imap tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.