Read a file from a vault
AI agents call get_file to retrieve information from Obsidian MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves file content from an Obsidian vault without side effects. It performs a query operation similar to 'fetch' or 'get', which is the definition of the Read category. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius—an AI agent misusing this tool can only access data it is authorized to read, with no capability to modify, execute, or delete vault content.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_file' and description 'Read a file from a vault' explicitly indicate a read-only operation with no modification or deletion of data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Read a file from a vault. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Obsidian MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_file: 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 Obsidian MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_file 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_file 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_file. 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_file is provided by the Obsidian MCP Server MCP server (victors081/obsidian-mcp-server). 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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