High Risk →

test_privesc

Run privilege escalation enumeration on a compromised host. Platforms: linux, windows, container. Uses linpeas/winpeas/deepce plus kernel-exploit-suggester. Enumeration only by default. Returns immediately with engagement_id; agent runs asynchronously.

How to control test_privesc ↓

AI agents invoke test_privesc to trigger actions in Pentest Ai. 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.

High Risk

This tool actively executes security enumeration tools (linpeas, winpeas, deepce, kernel-exploit-suggester) on a compromised host to identify privilege escalation paths. While described as 'enumeration only by default,' it runs real offensive security tools on live systems, which is an Execute-category action with critical severity — misuse could expose full privilege escalation paths on production systems,…

From the tool's definition 'Run privilege escalation enumeration on a compromised host' using 'linpeas/winpeas/deepce plus kernel-exploit-suggester' on 'linux, windows, container' platforms

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access test_privesc gives an agent:

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Pentest Ai, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for test_privesc:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "test_privesc": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "test_privesc_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

test_privesc 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.

  1. Create a free account and register Pentest Ai — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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Go deeper

What does the test_privesc tool do? +

Run privilege escalation enumeration on a compromised host. Platforms: linux, windows, container. Uses linpeas/winpeas/deepce plus kernel-exploit-suggester. Enumeration only by default. Returns immediately with engagement_id; agent runs asynchronously. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Pentest Ai MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on test_privesc? +

Register the Pentest Ai MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for test_privesc: 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 Pentest Ai. Nothing to install.

What risk level is test_privesc? +

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

Can I rate-limit test_privesc? +

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

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

test_privesc is provided by the Pentest Ai MCP server (0xsteph/pentest-ai). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Pentest Ai tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 51 Pentest Ai tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

Free to start. No card required.

51 Pentest Ai tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

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