Search memories by query, type, tags, or namespace
AI agents call search_memory to retrieve information from Memory MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The search_memory tool performs a query operation to retrieve and filter existing memories based on search criteria. It does not modify, create, delete, or execute any operations—it only reads and returns matching data. This is a typical Read category tool with minimal security risk.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_memory' and description 'Search memories by query, type, tags, or namespace' indicate a retrieval/query operation with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search memories by query, type, tags, or namespace. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Memory MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Memory MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_memory: 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 Memory MCP Server. Nothing to install.
search_memory 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 search_memory 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 search_memory. 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.
search_memory is provided by the Memory MCP Server MCP server (nareshtt/mcp-memory-server). 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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →