# scan_host_ports

A execute tool on the Hospital Vuln Scanner MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `scan_host_ports`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/scan-host-ports

## Facts

- Tool: `scan_host_ports`
- Server: Hospital Vuln Scanner (`12211725-star/hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/12211725-star/hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp
- 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_host_ports",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why scan_host_ports is rated High

Port scanning is an active network operation that sends packets to remote systems. It is neither purely read (it triggers external effects on target systems) nor destructive, but it executes network reconnaissance. In a hospital/medical context, scanning live medical devices (e.g., infusion pumps, imaging systems) could disrupt critical care equipment, making misuse high severity.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'scan_host_ports' on a server described as supporting 'port scanning, vulnerability detection, medical system identification' — implies active network scanning against a target host."

## Use case

AI agents invoke scan_host_ports to trigger actions in Hospital Vuln Scanner. 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 Hospital Vuln Scanner:

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

## Other tools on Hospital Vuln Scanner (13)

- `cancel_scan` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/cancel-scan.md
- `discover_network` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/discover-network.md
- `start_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/start-scan.md
- `get_scan_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/get-scan-status.md
- `get_system_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/get-system-status.md
- `get_vuln_stats` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/get-vuln-stats.md
- `get_vulnerability` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/get-vulnerability.md
- `identify_medical_systems` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/identify-medical-systems.md
- `list_reports` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/list-reports.md
- `list_scans` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/list-scans.md
- `list_vulnerabilities` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/list-vulnerabilities.md
- `generate_report` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/generate-report.md
- `update_vulnerability_status` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp/update-vulnerability-status.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=12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/12211725-star-hospital-vuln-scanner-mcp