Low Risk

grep

Search paragraphs with regex. Use file_path for session-based search, file_paths for stateless multi-file search, or google_doc_id for Google Docs.

Accepts file system path (file_path); High parameter count (12 properties)

Part of the Safe Docx MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

@usejunior/safe-docx Read Risk 2/5

AI agents call grep to retrieve information from Safe Docx without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

Even though grep only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

safe-docx.yaml
tools:
  grep:
    rules:
      - action: allow

See the full Safe Docx policy for all 23 tools.

Tool Name grep
Category Read
Risk Level Low

View all 23 tools →

Agents calling read-class tools like grep have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.

What does the grep tool do? +

Search paragraphs with regex. Use file_path for session-based search, file_paths for stateless multi-file search, or google_doc_id for Google Docs.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Safe Docx MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on grep? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for grep. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Safe Docx MCP server.

What risk level is grep? +

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

Can I rate-limit grep? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the grep rule in your Intercept 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 grep completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for grep. 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 grep? +

grep is provided by the Safe Docx MCP server (@usejunior/safe-docx). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policies on Safe Docx

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.

npx -y @policylayer/intercept
github.com/policylayer/intercept →
// GET IN TOUCH

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