View a file by path, with line-context selection.
AI agents call files_view_file to retrieve information from Promethean OS MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and displays file content. The verb 'view' and the absence of any language about modification, deletion, or execution means this is a read-only operation. The ability to select line context is a viewing parameter, not a destructive or side-effecting action.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'files_view_file' and description 'View a file by path, with line-context selection' indicate retrieval of file contents with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
View a file by path, with line-context selection. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Promethean OS MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Promethean OS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for files_view_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 Promethean OS MCP. Nothing to install.
files_view_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 files_view_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 files_view_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.
files_view_file is provided by the Promethean OS MCP server (octave-commons/mcp). 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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