Search for files and documents in SharePoint using Microsoft Graph Search API
AI agents call search_files to retrieve information from SharePoint MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves file metadata/locations from SharePoint without any capability to modify, delete, execute, or create resources. It is purely informational retrieval with no side effects or blast radius beyond exposing existing SharePoint directory structure and file names that the authenticated user already has access to.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'search_files' and description states it 'Search[es] for files and documents in SharePoint' — no modification, deletion, or execution capability described. Server description confirms the tool supports 'file search' as a retrieval operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search for files and documents in SharePoint using Microsoft Graph Search API. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SharePoint MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the SharePoint MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_files: 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 SharePoint MCP Server. Nothing to install.
search_files 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 search_files 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 search_files. 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.
search_files is provided by the SharePoint MCP Server MCP server (sekops-ch/sharepoint-mcp-server). 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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