AI agents call get_files_list to retrieve information from MCP Analyst without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool simply lists files available for analysis. It performs no side effects, does not modify data, execute code, delete resources, or commit financial transactions. It is a straightforward query operation with minimal blast radius—an AI misuse would at worst reveal which data files exist in the system, a low-impact information disclosure.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_files_list' and description 'Get the list of files that are source of data' indicate a read-only operation that retrieves metadata about available files without modification or execution.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_files_list gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP Analyst, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_files_list:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_files_list": {}
}
}get_files_list is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get the list of files that are source of data. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Analyst MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP Analyst MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_files_list: 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 MCP Analyst. Nothing to install.
get_files_list 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_files_list 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_files_list. 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_files_list is provided by the MCP Analyst MCP server (unravel-team/mcp-analyst). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from MCP Analyst, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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3 MCP Analyst tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.