Download a file. For Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, pass export_mime_type
AI agents call drive_file_download to retrieve information from Google Workspace without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Downloading files is a read operation—it retrieves data without side effects. However, severity is medium (not low) because an AI agent downloading files en masse could exfiltrate sensitive documents, and Google Workspace often contains confidential business or personal data. The confidence is high because the function's purpose is unambiguous.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'drive_file_download' and description 'Download a file' indicate data retrieval with no modification or deletion. The mention of export parameters for Google Docs/Sheets/Slides confirms it converts formats for reading, not writing.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Download a file. For Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, pass export_mime_type. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Google Workspace MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Google Workspace MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for drive_file_download: 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. Nothing to install.
drive_file_download 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 drive_file_download 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 drive_file_download. 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.
drive_file_download is provided by the Google Workspace MCP server (rajool/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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