search_gmail_messages_tool

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why search_gmail_messages_tool needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves Gmail messages without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It is fundamentally a Read operation. Severity is medium rather than low because Gmail can contain sensitive personal information (emails, attachments, metadata), and an AI agent with unconstrained search capabilities could exfiltrate or expose private communications.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Search for Gmail messages matching a query' — a retrieval operation with no modification of data. The verb 'search' and outcome 'matching a query' indicate read-only access to Gmail message metadata and content.

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

POLICY

How to control search_gmail_messages_tool

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "search_gmail_messages_tool": {}
  }
}

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

Create a free account and register Apps Script MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

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EXPLORE

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about search_gmail_messages_tool

What does the search_gmail_messages_tool tool do? +

Search for Gmail messages matching a query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Apps Script MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search_gmail_messages_tool? +

Register the Apps Script MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_gmail_messages_tool: 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 Apps Script MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is search_gmail_messages_tool? +

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

Can I rate-limit search_gmail_messages_tool? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search_gmail_messages_tool 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 search_gmail_messages_tool completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search_gmail_messages_tool. 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 search_gmail_messages_tool? +

search_gmail_messages_tool is provided by the Apps Script MCP server (sam-ent/google-automation-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Apps Script MCP tool call.

Start from Apps Script MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →