stop_etw_trace
Stop ETW trace, run tracerpt to CSV and summary, return parsed preview (requires elevation).
This record as markdown: /tools/0xhackerfren-procmon-mcp/stop-etw-trace.md
What stop_etw_trace does on Procmon
AI agents invoke stop_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 stop_etw_trace is rated High
This tool executes external commands (tracerpt) and manipulates system trace state by stopping ETW (Event Tracing for Windows) traces. While not destructive in the sense of data deletion, it executes arbitrary operations on system internals that depend on runtime arguments and state.
From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'Stop ETW trace, run tracerpt' — this involves executing a command (tracerpt) and terminating system tracing. The 'requires elevation' note indicates this performs privileged system operations.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs stop_etw_trace safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Procmon, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For stop_etw_trace, this is the rule to start with:
stop_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.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Procmon, apply this rule, and every stop_etw_trace call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about stop_etw_trace
Stop ETW trace, run tracerpt to CSV and summary, return parsed preview (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.
Register the Procmon MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for stop_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.
stop_etw_trace is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the stop_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for stop_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.
stop_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.
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