AI agents call listDownloads to retrieve information from Download MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries or lists existing downloads without modifying, executing, or deleting anything. It retrieves state information about download tasks. No side effects or irreversible actions are possible. Classified as Read with low severity since it only exposes download metadata and task status.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'listDownloads' indicates retrieval of download task information. The server's stated capability includes 'task control' and sibling tools like 'getDownload' and 'pauseDownload' confirm this is a monitoring/management interface.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access listDownloads gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Download MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for listDownloads:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"listDownloads": {}
}
}listDownloads is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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listDownloads. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Download MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Download MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for listDownloads: 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 Download MCP. Nothing to install.
listDownloads 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 listDownloads 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 listDownloads. 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.
listDownloads is provided by the Download MCP server (shuakami/mcp-download). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Download MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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7 Download MCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.