scan_top_ports

Scan the top ports of the specified target with optional custom arguments.

SERVERNmapMCP SOURCE0xpratikpatil/nmapmcp

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/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/scan-top-ports.md

WHAT IT DOES

What scan_top_ports does on NmapMCP

AI agents invoke scan_top_ports 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.

RISK

Why scan_top_ports is rated High

This tool executes network port scanning against specified targets, which is an active external operation. It can be used for reconnaissance against systems the operator may not own, carries legal and ethical risks, and the 'optional custom arguments' expand its attack surface. Classified as Execute (not Read) because it actively sends network packets to external systems rather than querying local data.

From the tool's definition 'Scan the top ports of the specified target with optional custom arguments' — triggers active network scanning against external targets

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs scan_top_ports safely

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

scan_top_ports Rate-limited

scan_top_ports 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": {
    "scan_top_ports": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "scan_top_ports_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 NmapMCP, apply this rule, and every scan_top_ports call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about scan_top_ports

What does the scan_top_ports tool do? +

Scan the top ports of the specified target with optional custom arguments. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the NmapMCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on scan_top_ports? +

Register the Nmap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for scan_top_ports: 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 NmapMCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is scan_top_ports? +

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

Can I rate-limit scan_top_ports? +

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

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

scan_top_ports is provided by the Nmap MCP server (0xpratikpatil/nmapmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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