Capture live traffic and provide raw packet data as JSON for LLM analysis
AI agents invoke capture_packets to trigger actions in WireMCP. 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.
This tool executes a live network capture process on the host system via tshark. It triggers an external operation (packet sniffing) whose scope and impact depend on arguments such as interface, filter, and duration. Misuse could expose sensitive network traffic including credentials, PII, or internal communications.
From the tool's definition 'Capture live traffic' — the tool actively triggers a live network capture operation using tshark, producing real-time packet data
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access capture_packets gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and WireMCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for capture_packets:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"capture_packets": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "capture_packets_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}capture_packets 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.
Free to start. No card required.
Capture live traffic and provide raw packet data as JSON for LLM analysis. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the WireMCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Wire MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for capture_packets: 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 WireMCP. Nothing to install.
capture_packets 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 capture_packets 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 capture_packets. 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.
capture_packets is provided by the Wire MCP server (0xkoda/wiremcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 7 WireMCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
7 WireMCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.