get_unread_count

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why get_unread_count needs a policy

This tool performs a simple query operation that retrieves count metadata from the RSS reader. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute any operations—it only reads and returns numerical information about unread articles. This is a non-destructive, informational read operation with minimal security impact.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_unread_count' and description 'Gets the unread count for feeds and folders' indicate a data retrieval operation with no modification or side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control get_unread_count

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

policy.json

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

get_unread_count 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 RSS MCP Server — 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 RSS MCP Server tools

Destructive delete_folder Deletes a folder. This does not delete the feeds within the folder. Destructive delete_subscription Deletes one or more feed subscriptions. Write cancel_article_sharing Cancels sharing for a specific article. Write remove_tag_from_all_articles Removes a tag from all articles that have it. Write remove_tag_from_item Removes a specific tag from an article. Write share_article Marks a specific article as a shared item. Write add_subscription Adds a new feed subscription. Write add_tag_to_item Adds a single tag to a specific article.

All 34 RSS MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server get_torrent_detail YouTube MCP Server search_channel Android Forensics ADB MCP Server parse_browser_history 0xarchive web3_challenge

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 get_unread_count

What does the get_unread_count tool do? +

Gets the unread count for feeds and folders. It is categorised as a Read tool in the RSS MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_unread_count? +

Register the RSS MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_unread_count: 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 RSS MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is get_unread_count? +

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

Can I rate-limit get_unread_count? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_unread_count 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 get_unread_count completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_unread_count. 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 get_unread_count? +

get_unread_count is provided by the RSS MCP Server MCP server (xueli-sherryli/rss-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every RSS MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →