copy-email · Outlook MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What copy-email does on Outlook MCP Server

AI agents use copy-email to create or update resources in Outlook MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Outlook MCP Server environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why copy-email needs a policy

Copying an email is a write operation that creates new data (a duplicate email) in the target folder. It is reversible (the copy can be deleted) and does not permanently destroy data, so it is not Destructive. The operation could be misused by an AI agent to exfiltrate or organize sensitive emails without authorization, warranting medium severity.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Copies an email to a specified folder,' which creates a duplicate of an email message in a new location—a reversible write operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

copy-email Rate-limited

copy-email 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "copy-email": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "copy-email_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Outlook MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about copy-email

What does the copy-email tool do? +

Copies an email to a specified folder. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Outlook MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on copy-email? +

Register the Outlook MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for copy-email: 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 Outlook MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is copy-email? +

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

Can I rate-limit copy-email? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the copy-email 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 copy-email completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for copy-email. 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 copy-email? +

copy-email is provided by the Outlook MCP Server MCP server (peacockery-studio/outlook-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.