gmail_list_attachments

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why gmail_list_attachments needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves metadata about attachments associated with a Gmail message. It performs a read-only operation with no side effects—it does not create, modify, delete, or execute any actions. The blast radius is minimal as it only exposes information about existing attachments to which the user already has access via the message_id.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'gmail_list_attachments' and description 'List all attachments in a specific Gmail message' indicate a retrieval operation with no modification or deletion of data.

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

POLICY

How to control gmail_list_attachments

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 gmail_list_attachments:

policy.json

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

gmail_list_attachments 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 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.

CAP THIS TOOL →

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EXPLORE

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
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FAQ

Questions about gmail_list_attachments

What does the gmail_list_attachments tool do? +

List all attachments in a specific Gmail message. Args: - message_id (string): The ID of the message to list attachments from - response_format (. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Google Workspace MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on gmail_list_attachments? +

Register the Google Workspace MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for gmail_list_attachments: 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 gmail_list_attachments? +

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

Can I rate-limit gmail_list_attachments? +

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

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

gmail_list_attachments 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 →