AI agents call get_message to retrieve information from Mcp Imap without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves email content without side effects. It performs a query operation ('fetch') that returns existing data (headers and body text) without altering, deleting, or executing any action on the mailbox. This is a straightforward read operation with minimal risk—the worst outcome is exposure of email content the user already has access to.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_message' and description 'Fetch a single email by UID. Returns headers and text body' indicate data retrieval with no modification or deletion.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Fetch a single email by UID. Returns headers and text body (prefers plain text). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Imap MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Imap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_message: 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 Imap. Nothing to install.
get_message 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 get_message 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 get_message. 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.
get_message is provided by the Mcp Imap MCP server (ngcdan/mcp-imap-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.
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