Get unseen (unread) messages. Returns the most recent unseen messages up to the specified limit. Auto-connects if not already connected.
AI agents call get_unseen_messages to retrieve information from Mcp Mail Server 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 unread email messages without modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a read-only data retrieval function. While email contents may be sensitive, the tool itself has no destructive, modifying, or code-execution capability. Severity is low because exposure would allow an AI to read emails but not alter mailbox state or trigger other systems.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_unseen_messages' and description states it 'Get[s] unseen (unread) messages' and 'Returns the most recent unseen messages' — purely retrieval operations with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get unseen (unread) messages. Returns the most recent unseen messages up to the specified limit. Auto-connects if not already connected. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Mail Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Mail Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_unseen_messages: 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 Mail Server. Nothing to install.
get_unseen_messages 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_unseen_messages 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_unseen_messages. 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_unseen_messages is provided by the Mcp Mail Server MCP server (mcp-mail-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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