# ping_scan

Perform a ping scan on the specified target with optional custom arguments.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `ping_scan`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/ping-scan

## Facts

- Tool: `ping_scan`
- Server: NmapMCP (`0xpratikpatil/nmapmcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/0xPratikPatil/NmapMCP
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, 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": "ping_scan",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why ping_scan is rated High

A ping scan sends ICMP/network probes to target systems, constituting active network reconnaissance. This is an external operation whose effects depend on the target argument. While it does not modify data, it triggers real network activity against potentially unauthorized targets, making Execute the appropriate category.

From the tool's own definition: "'Perform a ping scan on the specified target' — actively sends network packets to external hosts; part of a server explicitly designed for 'network scanning and reconnaissance tasks'"

## Use case

AI agents invoke ping_scan to trigger actions in NmapMCP. 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 NmapMCP:

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

## Other tools on NmapMCP (14)

- `arp_discovery` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/arp-discovery.md
- `disable_dns_resolution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/disable-dns-resolution.md
- `dns_brute_force` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/dns-brute-force.md
- `fin_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/fin-scan.md
- `idle_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/idle-scan.md
- `no_portscan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/no-portscan.md
- `os_detection` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/os-detection.md
- `portscan_only` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/portscan-only.md
- `scan_top_ports` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/scan-top-ports.md
- `syn_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/syn-scan.md
- `tcp_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/tcp-scan.md
- `udp_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/udp-scan.md
- `version_detection` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/version-detection.md
- `list_scan` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/list-scan.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`

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