# scan_top_ports

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

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

## Facts

- Tool: `scan_top_ports`
- 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": "scan_top_ports",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## 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 own definition: "'Scan the top ports of the specified target with optional custom arguments' — triggers active network scanning against external targets"

## Use case

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.

## 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": {
    "scan_top_ports": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "scan_top_ports_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
- `ping_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/ping-scan.md
- `portscan_only` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/portscan-only.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`

---

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