AI agents call export_file to retrieve information from Redcap without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The name 'export_file' strongly implies a read/retrieval operation — exporting a file from a REDCap instance. This aligns with the Read category. However, the empty description reduces confidence. Severity is medium because exported files in a research data context may contain sensitive participant data, representing a meaningful privacy/data exposure risk if misused.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'export_file' suggests retrieving/downloading a file from REDCap; description is empty providing no additional context.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
export_file. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Redcap MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Redcap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for export_file: 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 Redcap. Nothing to install.
export_file 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 export_file 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 export_file. 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.
export_file is provided by the Redcap MCP server (msicilia/mcp-server-redcap). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
export_file is one line of Redcap's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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