Fetch a PDF from a URL and extract its text content. Downloads the PDF from the specified URL, then extracts text with Y-coordinate-based reading order. Supports HTTP and HTTPS. Maximum file size: 50MB. Timeout: 30 seconds. Like \
AI agents call read_url to retrieve information from Pdf Reader without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and reads PDF content from a remote URL, extracting text in a structured manner. It has no side effects beyond fetching and parsing data. The operation is read-only with clear safety boundaries (file size limits, timeouts). While network requests have some inherent risk, the tool's purpose is pure data retrieval without creating, modifying, or destroying any resources.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'Fetch a PDF from a URL and extract its text content' and 'extracts text'. The name 'read_url' and function signature align with read operations. No modification, deletion, or execution of arbitrary code is described.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Fetch a PDF from a URL and extract its text content. Downloads the PDF from the specified URL, then extracts text with Y-coordinate-based reading order. Supports HTTP and HTTPS. Maximum file size: 50MB. Timeout: 30 seconds. Like \. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Pdf Reader MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Pdf Reader MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for read_url: 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 Pdf Reader. Nothing to install.
read_url 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 read_url 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 read_url. 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.
read_url is provided by the Pdf Reader MCP server (shuji-bonji/pdf-reader-mcp). 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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