start_etw_trace

THE RISK

High Risk

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).

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

HOW TO CONTROL START_ETW_TRACE

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

policy.json

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

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.

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

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

More Procmon tools

Execute request_elevation Launch a cmd script via UAC (Start-Process -Verb RunAs) to run the given command. Execute stop_etw_trace Stop ETW trace, run tracerpt to CSV and summary, return parsed preview (requires elevation Execute timed_capture Repeated snapshots over a duration with optional shell trigger command launched at start. Read analyze_pe Parse a PE file with pefile: imports, exports, category summary. Read capture_snapshot Point-in-time snapshot of matching processes: processes, modules, network connections. Read check_elevation Whether the server is elevated plus a capability matrix for all tools. Read find_pe_files Recursively discover PE files under a directory. Read get_minifilters Run fltmc filters and instances and return raw parsed lines.

All 18 Procmon tools →

Execute tools on other servers

Frida Game Hacking MCP remove_breakpoint WireMCP capture_packets Pentest Ai run_probe Frida Agent MCP execute

Go deeper

High-risk tools in Procmon → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

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.

Enforce policy on every Procmon tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 18 Procmon tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

GOVERN PROCMON →

Free to start. No card required.

18 Procmon tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

// WHAT START_ETW_TRACE ON PROCMON DOES

// THE RISK

// HOW TO CONTROL START_ETW_TRACE

// EXPLORE