start_etw_trace · Procmon MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What start_etw_trace does on Procmon

AI agents invoke start_etw_trace to trigger actions in Procmon. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why start_etw_trace needs a policy

This tool executes external operations (logman) to start kernel-level Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) traces. ETW tracing is a monitoring/observational capability that involves invoking system commands with elevated privileges.

From the tool's definition start_etw_trace: Start a kernel ETW trace via logman (requires elevation).

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

start_etw_trace Rate-limited

start_etw_trace stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "start_etw_trace": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "start_etw_trace_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Procmon, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about start_etw_trace

What does the start_etw_trace tool do? +

Start a kernel ETW trace via logman (requires elevation). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Procmon MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on start_etw_trace? +

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

What risk level is start_etw_trace? +

start_etw_trace is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit start_etw_trace? +

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

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

start_etw_trace is provided by the Procmon MCP server (0xhackerfren/procmon-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

// THE FULL RECORD

start_etw_trace is one line of Procmon's registry record.

The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.

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