AI agents call get_imap to retrieve information from Gmail MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves IMAP settings, which is a read-only operation that queries existing configuration. It does not modify data, execute commands, delete information, or perform financial transactions. The low severity reflects that IMAP settings are typically non-sensitive configuration details, though they could theoretically reveal account connection details if exposed broadly.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_imap' and description 'Gets IMAP settings' indicate retrieval of configuration data without modification or execution of side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_imap gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Gmail MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_imap:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_imap": {}
}
}get_imap is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
Gets IMAP settings. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Gmail MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Gmail MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_imap: 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 Gmail MCP. Nothing to install.
get_imap 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 get_imap 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 get_imap. 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.
get_imap is provided by the Gmail MCP server (shinzo-labs/gmail-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 65 Gmail MCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
65 Gmail MCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.