Get contents of a file or directory in a repository
AI agents call get_repository_contents to retrieve information from GitHub 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 file and directory contents from a repository, which is a non-destructive data retrieval operation. However, severity is elevated from 'low' to 'medium' because repository contents may include sensitive information (API keys, credentials, private configuration, or proprietary code), and an AI agent with unconstrained access could extract such secrets or exfiltrate source code.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Get contents of a file or directory in a repository' which retrieves data without modification or deletion. The verb 'get' and action of retrieving repository contents indicates a read-only operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get contents of a file or directory in a repository. It is categorised as a Read tool in the GitHub MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the GitHub MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_repository_contents: 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 GitHub MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_repository_contents 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_repository_contents 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_repository_contents. 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_repository_contents is provided by the GitHub MCP Server MCP server (mdabdullahfaruque/github-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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