Low Risk

download_file

Download a file from the output directory (returns base64-encoded content). Use this to retrieve analysis results.

How to control download_file ↓

AI agents call download_file to retrieve information from REMnux MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Low Risk

This tool retrieves and reads files from a designated output directory without creating, modifying, executing code, or deleting anything. It is a pure read operation. The base64 encoding is a transport mechanism, not a side effect. Severity is low because reading analysis output from a controlled directory poses minimal risk even if misused—an agent could only access files already in the output directory.

From the tool's definition The tool description explicitly states it 'Download[s] a file from the output directory (returns base64-encoded content)' and is intended to 'retrieve analysis results.' The action is retrieval-only with no modification or deletion of data.

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

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

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "download_file": {}
  }
}

download_file is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

  1. Create a free account and register REMnux MCP Server — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

Go deeper

What does the download_file tool do? +

Download a file from the output directory (returns base64-encoded content). Use this to retrieve analysis results. It is categorised as a Read tool in the REMnux MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on download_file? +

Register the REMnux MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for download_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 REMnux MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is download_file? +

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

Can I rate-limit download_file? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the download_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.

How do I block download_file completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for download_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.

What MCP server provides download_file? +

download_file is provided by the REMnux MCP Server MCP server (remnux/remnux-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every REMnux MCP Server tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 14 REMnux MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

Free to start. No card required.

14 REMnux MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

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