drive_copy_file

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why drive_copy_file needs a policy

This tool creates a new file resource in Google Drive, which is a reversible write operation. It does not delete or overwrite existing data (Destructive), does not execute arbitrary code (Execute), does not involve financial transactions (Financial), and goes beyond simple data retrieval (Read).

From the tool's definition Tool name and description: 'drive_copy_file' - 'Create a copy of a file in Google Drive.' This creates new data (a duplicate file) in the user's storage.

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

POLICY

How to control drive_copy_file

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "drive_copy_file": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "drive_copy_file_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

drive_copy_file stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Google Workspace tools

Destructive drive_delete_comment Delete a comment from a Google Doc. Args: - file_id (string): The ID of the Google Doc Destructive sheets_clear_values Clear cell values from a specific range in a Google Spreadsheet (keeps formatting). Args: Write docs_batch_update Apply batch updates to a Google Doc (insert/update/delete text, formatting, images, tables Write docs_create_document Create a new Google Doc with an optional initial body. Args: - title (string): The titl Write sheets_append_values Append rows of data to the end of a table in a Google Spreadsheet. Args: - spreadsheet_ Write sheets_duplicate_sheet Duplicate a sheet within the same spreadsheet. Args: - spreadsheet_id (string): The ID Write drive_create_comment Add a comment to a Google Doc. Can be anchored to specific text or unanchored. Args: - Write drive_reply_to_comment Reply to an existing comment on a Google Doc. Args: - file_id (string): The ID of the G

All 34 Google Workspace tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about drive_copy_file

What does the drive_copy_file tool do? +

Create a copy of a file in Google Drive. Args: - file_id (string): The ID of the file to copy - name (string, optional): New name for the copied file (defaults to. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Google Workspace MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on drive_copy_file? +

Register the Google Workspace MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for drive_copy_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 Google Workspace. Nothing to install.

What risk level is drive_copy_file? +

drive_copy_file is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit drive_copy_file? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the drive_copy_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.

How do I block drive_copy_file completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for drive_copy_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.

What MCP server provides drive_copy_file? +

drive_copy_file is provided by the Google Workspace MCP server (everyinc/google-workspace-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Google Workspace tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →