google_gmail_list_emails

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why google_gmail_list_emails needs a policy

This tool queries and retrieves email metadata from Gmail without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing operations. It is a straightforward read operation with no side effects.

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'list_emails' and description states 'List emails from a specific label or folder' — both indicate retrieval only, no modification or deletion.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access google_gmail_list_emails gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control google_gmail_list_emails

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Google MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for google_gmail_list_emails:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "google_gmail_list_emails": {}
  }
}

google_gmail_list_emails is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Google MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Google MCP tools

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All 35 Google MCP tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about google_gmail_list_emails

What does the google_gmail_list_emails tool do? +

List emails from a specific label or folder. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Google MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on google_gmail_list_emails? +

Register the Google MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for google_gmail_list_emails: 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 Google MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is google_gmail_list_emails? +

google_gmail_list_emails is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit google_gmail_list_emails? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the google_gmail_list_emails 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.

How do I block google_gmail_list_emails completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for google_gmail_list_emails. 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.

What MCP server provides google_gmail_list_emails? +

google_gmail_list_emails is provided by the Google MCP server (vakharwalad23/google-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Google MCP tool call.

Start from Google MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →