get_file_contents

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_file_contents needs a policy

This tool retrieves or queries file contents from a repository with no capacity to modify, delete, or execute code. It is a straightforward read operation with minimal security risk, appropriate for legitimate code exploration and information gathering tasks.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_file_contents' and description 'Get the contents of a file or directory from a GitHub repository' indicate retrieval of data without modification or side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control get_file_contents

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "get_file_contents": {}
  }
}

get_file_contents is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
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Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about get_file_contents

What does the get_file_contents tool do? +

Get the contents of a file or directory from a GitHub repository. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP-Brave-Search MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_file_contents? +

Register the MCP-Brave-Search MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_file_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 MCP-Brave-Search. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_file_contents? +

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

Can I rate-limit get_file_contents? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_file_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.

How do I block get_file_contents completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_file_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.

What MCP server provides get_file_contents? +

get_file_contents is provided by the MCP-Brave-Search MCP server (modelcontextprotocol/servers-archived). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP-Brave-Search tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →