Get attachment metadata by sys_id
AI agents call attachment_get to retrieve information from ServiceNow MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves attachment metadata using a system ID, which is a query operation with no side effects. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any changes to the ServiceNow system. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—exposure of metadata may have privacy implications but is fundamentally a read operation.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'attachment_get' and description 'Get attachment metadata by sys_id' indicate retrieval of attachment metadata without modification. The verb 'Get' and focus on 'metadata' confirm read-only operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get attachment metadata by sys_id. It is categorised as a Read tool in the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for attachment_get: 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 ServiceNow MCP Server. Nothing to install.
attachment_get 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 attachment_get 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 attachment_get. 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.
attachment_get is provided by the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server (schwarztim/servicenow-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.
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