Lists all files and directories in a specific directory within your Obsidian vault.
AI agents call list_files_in_dir to retrieve information from Obsidian Modified without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a read-only operation that enumerates filesystem metadata. It has no side effects, does not execute code, does not modify data, and does not delete anything. The action is informational only. Severity is low because directory enumeration poses minimal risk even if misused by an AI agent.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_files_in_dir' and description 'Lists all files and directories in a specific directory within your Obsidian vault' indicate retrieval of directory contents with no modification, creation, or deletion of data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Lists all files and directories in a specific directory within your Obsidian vault. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian Modified MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian Modified MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_files_in_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 Modified. Nothing to install.
list_files_in_dir 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 list_files_in_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_files_in_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.
list_files_in_dir is provided by the Obsidian Modified MCP server (@marwansaab/obsidian-modified-mcp-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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