search_memories

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why search_memories needs a policy

This tool retrieves or queries stored memory data using semantic search. It has no side effects—it does not create, modify, delete, or execute operations. The action is read-only and returns results based on similarity matching. The severity is low because a search operation has minimal blast radius; misuse would only expose information the agent already has access to.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_memories' and description 'Search memories using semantic similarity' indicate a query/retrieval operation with no modification or deletion of data.

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

POLICY

How to control search_memories

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and SAM, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for search_memories:

policy.json

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

search_memories 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 SAM — 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.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about search_memories

What does the search_memories tool do? +

Search memories using semantic similarity. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SAM MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_memories? +

Register the SAM MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_memories: 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 SAM. Nothing to install.

What risk level is search_memories? +

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

Can I rate-limit search_memories? +

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

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

search_memories is provided by the SAM MCP server (pigrieco/mcp-memory-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every SAM tool call.

Start from SAM, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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