AI agents call list_folder to retrieve information from Mcp Base without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The name strongly implies listing folder contents without modification. No deletion, execution, or financial operations are indicated. This is a typical Read operation with minimal blast radius—it retrieves data without side effects. Confidence is moderate due to missing description, but the naming pattern and server context (foundational template with utility tools) support the Read classification.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_folder' indicates a directory listing operation; description is empty, limiting certainty. Sibling tools ('health_check', 'list_inclusion_filters', 'list_root_paths') suggest read-only utility functions.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
list_folder. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Base MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Base MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_folder: 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 Mcp Base. Nothing to install.
list_folder 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 list_folder 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 list_folder. 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.
list_folder is provided by the Mcp Base MCP server (sesopenko/mcp-filesystem-readonly). 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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