AI agents call read_skill_file to retrieve information from SkillMCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves or queries data (file contents) with no side effects or ability to modify, create, or delete files. It is a straightforward read operation that falls squarely into the Read category. Severity is low because reading text files from a designated directory poses minimal risk even if misused by an agent.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Read[s] one UTF-8 text file' from a skill's directory. The verb 'read' and the read-only nature of retrieving file contents with no modification capability.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Read one UTF-8 text file from a skill's references/scripts/assets directory. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SkillMCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Skill MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for read_skill_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 SkillMCP. Nothing to install.
read_skill_file 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 read_skill_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for read_skill_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.
read_skill_file is provided by the Skill MCP server (nventimiglia/skillsmcp). 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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