Download a Gmail attachment with full data. Returns complete base64-encoded data, or saves directly to a file if savePath is provided. Use this instead of getGmailAttachment when you need the full attachment content.
AI agents call downloadGmailAttachment to retrieve information from Google Workspace MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and optionally saves attachment data from Gmail. While it involves file I/O, the core operation is reading/downloading existing data without side effects on the Gmail system or data structures. No creation, modification, deletion, or execution of arbitrary code is performed.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Download[s] a Gmail attachment' and 'Returns complete base64-encoded data, or saves directly to a file if savePath is provided'.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Download a Gmail attachment with full data. Returns complete base64-encoded data, or saves directly to a file if savePath is provided. Use this instead of getGmailAttachment when you need the full attachment content. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Google Workspace MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Google Workspace MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for downloadGmailAttachment: 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 Google Workspace MCP Server. Nothing to install.
downloadGmailAttachment 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 downloadGmailAttachment 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 downloadGmailAttachment. 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.
downloadGmailAttachment is provided by the Google Workspace MCP Server MCP server (pm990320/google-workspace-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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