# tcp_scan

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

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

## Facts

- Tool: `tcp_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": "tcp_scan",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why tcp_scan is rated High

A TCP connect scan actively probes remote systems by establishing TCP connections, which is an external network operation with real side effects (network traffic, logging on target systems, potential IDS alerts). This is classic active reconnaissance/execution. It doesn't merely read local data — it executes network-level actions against potentially arbitrary targets.

From the tool's own definition: "'Perform a TCP connect scan on the specified target' — actively initiates TCP connections to remote hosts, triggering external network operations"

## Use case

AI agents invoke tcp_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": {
    "tcp_scan": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "tcp_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
- `ping_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/0xpratikpatil-nmapmcp/ping-scan.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
- `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