Delete an email (moves to trash or expunges).
AI agents call imap_delete_email to permanently remove resources in Email MCP Server — typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
Email deletion, particularly expungement, permanently removes data that cannot be recovered through normal means. This is irreversible and matches the Destructive category definition. While moving to trash is technically recoverable, expungement is not. The severity is high because unauthorized deletion of emails could result in loss of critical communications, business records, or compliance violations.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'imap_delete_email' and description states 'Delete an email (moves to trash or expunges)'. The word 'delete' combined with 'expunges' indicates irreversible removal of email data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Delete an email (moves to trash or expunges). It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Email MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
Register the Email MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for imap_delete_email: 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 Email MCP Server. Nothing to install.
imap_delete_email is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the imap_delete_email 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 imap_delete_email. 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.
imap_delete_email is provided by the Email MCP Server MCP server (sventern/mcp_email). 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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