AI agents invoke pauseDownload to trigger actions in Download MCP. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
Pausing a download triggers an external operation (suspending an active download task), which falls under Execute. The description is empty, so confidence is reduced, but the sibling tools and server context strongly imply this controls an ongoing download process. Severity is medium because misuse could disrupt intended download operations but is generally reversible (resumeDownload exists).
From the tool's definition Tool name 'pauseDownload'; server description mentions 'task control' over downloads with 'multi-threading' and 'progress monitoring'. Sibling tools include cancelDownload, resumeDownload, suggesting lifecycle control operations.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access pauseDownload 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 pauseDownload:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"pauseDownload": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "pausedownload_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}pauseDownload stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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pauseDownload. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Download MCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Download MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for pauseDownload: 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.
pauseDownload is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the pauseDownload 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 pauseDownload. 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.
pauseDownload 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.