refresh_auth

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why refresh_auth needs a policy

This tool refreshes authentication tokens/credentials. It does not read, write, execute, destroy data, or move money. It is an auth/session management operation with minimal blast radius — at worst it could temporarily disrupt access if misused, but it does not modify any spreadsheet data.

From the tool's definition Refresh Google Sheets authentication when credentials expire

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

POLICY

How to control refresh_auth

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Google Sheets MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for refresh_auth:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "refresh_auth": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "refresh_auth_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 60,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

refresh_auth gets a rate cap, and everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Google Sheets MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

SET A RULE FOR THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Google Sheets MCP tools

Write create_sheet Create a new sheet/tab in a Google Spreadsheet Write create_spreadsheet Create a new Google Spreadsheet Write edit_cell Edit a cell in a Google Sheet Write edit_column Edit an entire column in a Google Sheet Write edit_row Edit an entire row in a Google Sheet Write insert_column Insert a new column at specified position in a Google Sheet Write insert_row Insert a new row at specified position in a Google Sheet Write rename_doc Rename the Google Spreadsheet

All 15 Google Sheets MCP tools →

Other tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server generate_app_analysis_report Ethereum Tools add Math MCP Server complex_analysis_suite Crypto_MCP aes_encrypt

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Tool risk categories → How PolicyLayer classifies MCP tools by what they can do.
MCP tool → What an MCP tool is and how clients discover and call it.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about refresh_auth

What does the refresh_auth tool do? +

Refresh Google Sheets authentication when credentials expire. It is categorised as a Other tool in the Google Sheets MCP MCP Server, which means it performs auxiliary operations.

How do I enforce a policy on refresh_auth? +

Register the Google Sheets MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for refresh_auth: 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 Google Sheets MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is refresh_auth? +

refresh_auth is a Other tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit refresh_auth? +

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

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

refresh_auth is provided by the Google Sheets MCP server (mkummer225/google-sheets-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Google Sheets MCP tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →