Force a refresh of the folder list from the IMAP server
AI agents call sync_folders to retrieve information from ProtonMail MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The sync_folders tool retrieves folder metadata from the IMAP server to synchronize local state. It performs a query operation with no side effects on mailbox data, attachment content, or configuration. Misuse would at worst cause repeated refreshes or redundant API calls, not data loss or unauthorized actions. This is a low-risk Read operation.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Force a refresh of the folder list from the IMAP server' — a retrieval operation that queries server state without modifying or deleting data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Force a refresh of the folder list from the IMAP server. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ProtonMail MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the ProtonMail MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for sync_folders: 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 ProtonMail MCP Server. Nothing to install.
sync_folders 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 sync_folders 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 sync_folders. 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.
sync_folders is provided by the ProtonMail MCP Server MCP server (ronamosa/protonmail-pro-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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →