mark_as_read

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why mark_as_read needs a policy

This tool modifies email metadata (read/unread status) reversibly. It does not delete, execute code, transfer funds, or permanently alter data. The change can be undone by marking the email unread again. Classified as Write (modifies data reversibly) rather than Read, with low severity because email status changes have minimal blast radius and no cascading side effects.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'mark_as_read' and description states it marks 'an email as read or unread', which modifies email state without deleting or creating data.

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

POLICY

How to control mark_as_read

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 mark_as_read:

policy.json

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

mark_as_read 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 Mcp Imap — 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 Mcp Imap tools

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All 5 Mcp Imap tools →

Write tools on other servers

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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 mark_as_read

What does the mark_as_read tool do? +

Mark an email as read or unread. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mcp Imap MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on mark_as_read? +

Register the Mcp Imap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for mark_as_read: 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.

What risk level is mark_as_read? +

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

Can I rate-limit mark_as_read? +

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

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

mark_as_read 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.

Enforce policy on every Mcp Imap tool call.

Start from Mcp Imap, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →