download_file

Download a file from SharePoint or OneDrive via Microsoft Graph API. Returns file content directly to the agent: images are returned inline, text files as text content, and binary files (Office docs, PDFs) are saved to disk. Supports optional format conversion (e.g., PDF).

Server Microsoft Graph MCP Server sapientsai/microsoft-mcp-server
Category Read
Risk class Low
Parameters 00 required

What download_file does on Microsoft Graph MCP Server

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

Why download_file needs a policy

This tool retrieves and reads file content from cloud storage without creating, modifying, or deleting data. It is a Read operation. Severity is medium rather than low because file downloads can expose sensitive documents (emails, financial records, intellectual property) depending on access controls and what the agent does with retrieved content, creating a moderate confidentiality risk if misused by a compromised…

From the tool's definition Tool description: 'Download a file from SharePoint or OneDrive via Microsoft Graph API. Returns file content directly to the agent'. The verb is 'Download', and the core function is retrieval of file content with no modification or deletion.

Questions about download_file

What does the download_file tool do? +

Download a file from SharePoint or OneDrive via Microsoft Graph API. Returns file content directly to the agent: images are returned inline, text files as text content, and binary files (Office docs, PDFs) are saved to disk. Supports optional format conversion (e.g., PDF). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Microsoft Graph MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on download_file? +

Register the Microsoft Graph 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 Microsoft Graph 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 Microsoft Graph MCP Server MCP server (sapientsai/microsoft-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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