# capture_packets

Capture live traffic and provide raw packet data as JSON for LLM analysis

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `capture_packets`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp/capture-packets

## Facts

- Tool: `capture_packets`
- Server: WireMCP (`0xkoda/wiremcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/0xKoda/WireMCP
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade B, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "capture_packets",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why capture_packets is rated High

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 own definition: "'Capture live traffic' — the tool actively triggers a live network capture operation using tshark, producing real-time packet data"

## Use case

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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches WireMCP:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "capture_packets": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "capture_packets_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on WireMCP (6)

- `get_summary_stats` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp/get-summary-stats.md
- `analyze_pcap` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp/analyze-pcap.md
- `check_ip_threats` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp/check-ip-threats.md
- `check_threats` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp/check-threats.md
- `extract_credentials` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp/extract-credentials.md
- `get_conversations` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xkoda-wiremcp/get-conversations.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=0xkoda-wiremcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/0xkoda-wiremcp