AI agents call memory_search to retrieve information from Mementos without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and searches existing memory data without creating, modifying, or deleting anything. It is a pure read operation that returns results based on keyword matching. The blast radius is minimal—misuse would only expose or discover information that already exists, with no capability to alter system state.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'memory_search' and description 'Search memories by keyword across key, value, summary, and tags' indicate a query/retrieval operation with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search memories by keyword across key, value, summary, and tags. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mementos MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mementos MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for memory_search: 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 Mementos. Nothing to install.
memory_search 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 memory_search 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 memory_search. 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.
memory_search is provided by the Mementos MCP server (@hasna/mementos). 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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