metasploit_start_listener

Start exploit/multi/handler as a background job to catch reverse shells.

SERVERHercules MCP SOURCE0xmihirk/hercules-mcp

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/0xmihirk-hercules-mcp/metasploit-start-listener.md

WHAT IT DOES

What metasploit_start_listener does on Hercules MCP

AI agents invoke metasploit_start_listener to trigger actions in Hercules MCP. 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.

RISK

Why metasploit_start_listener is rated High

This tool executes code/operations in the context of a penetration testing framework. While nominally for authorized security testing (per server context), it starts a background listener that will execute arbitrary commands received over reverse shell connections.

From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states it 'Start[s] exploit/multi/handler as a background job to catch reverse shells.' Metasploit's exploit/multi/handler is a framework component that receives and manages reverse shell connections from compromised systems—a core…

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs metasploit_start_listener safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Hercules MCP, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For metasploit_start_listener, this is the rule to start with:

metasploit_start_listener Rate-limited

metasploit_start_listener 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": {
    "metasploit_start_listener": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "metasploit_start_listener_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Hercules MCP, apply this rule, and every metasploit_start_listener call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about metasploit_start_listener

What does the metasploit_start_listener tool do? +

Start exploit/multi/handler as a background job to catch reverse shells. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Hercules MCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on metasploit_start_listener? +

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

What risk level is metasploit_start_listener? +

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

Can I rate-limit metasploit_start_listener? +

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

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

metasploit_start_listener is provided by the Hercules MCP server (0xmihirk/hercules-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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