list_dir

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_dir needs a policy

This tool only queries and returns information about directory structure without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a straightforward read operation analogous to 'ls' in file systems. Low severity because the blast radius of misuse is limited to information disclosure of directory names.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'List subdirectories in a path. Returns only folder names (not files)' - purely a retrieval/listing operation with no side effects or modifications.

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

POLICY

How to control list_dir

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

policy.json

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

list_dir 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 Obsidian HTTP MCP — 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

Related tools and policies

More Obsidian HTTP MCP tools

Destructive delete_file Delete a file. By default moves to .trash-http-mcp/ for recovery. Set permanent=true for i Destructive delete_folder Delete all files in a folder recursively. By default moves to .trash-http-mcp/ (soft delet Write create_directory Create a new directory. Idempotent (returns success even if already exists). Does NOT crea Write edit_file Surgically edit file content using exact string replacement (pattern matching). Use this f Write move_file Move or rename a file. Works for both moving to different folder and renaming in same fold Write write_file Create or update a file. Use mode=create for new files, mode=overwrite to replace existing Read find_files Search files in vault with fuzzy matching. Use this when you don\ Read get_file_info Get file metadata (size, modification date). Returns exists: false if file not found.

All 12 Obsidian HTTP MCP tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

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.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_dir

What does the list_dir tool do? +

List subdirectories in a path. Returns only folder names (not files). IMPORTANT: Path must end with / (e.g.,. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian HTTP MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_dir? +

Register the Obsidian HTTP MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_dir: 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 Obsidian HTTP MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_dir? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_dir? +

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

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

list_dir is provided by the Obsidian HTTP MCP server (nasandnora/obsidian-http-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Obsidian HTTP MCP tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →