ftp_check

Connect to an FTP server and read its banner. Also tests whether anonymous login is accepted. Useful for verifying FTP service availability.

SERVERMcp Nettools SOURCEaaronckj/mcp-nettools

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/ftp-check.md

WHAT IT DOES

What ftp_check does on Mcp Nettools

AI agents call ftp_check to retrieve information from Mcp Nettools without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why ftp_check is rated Low

The tool performs network diagnostics by querying FTP service metadata (banner information and authentication status). It does not execute arbitrary commands, modify data, delete resources, or create side effects. The scope is limited to reading publicly available service information. Severity is low because misuse would only expose FTP service characteristics, not cause operational harm or data loss.

From the tool's definition Tool connects to FTP server to 'read its banner' and 'test whether anonymous login is accepted.' These are information retrieval operations with no modification of data or execution of commands.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs ftp_check safely

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

ftp_check Allowed

ftp_check is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ftp_check": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Mcp Nettools, apply this rule, and every ftp_check call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about ftp_check

What does the ftp_check tool do? +

Connect to an FTP server and read its banner. Also tests whether anonymous login is accepted. Useful for verifying FTP service availability. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Nettools MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on ftp_check? +

Register the Mcp Nettools MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ftp_check: 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 Mcp Nettools. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ftp_check? +

ftp_check is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit ftp_check? +

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

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

ftp_check is provided by the Mcp Nettools MCP server (aaronckj/mcp-nettools). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Mcp Nettools, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 235 Mcp Nettools tools →

Across the catalogue

The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Roll out MCP under one policy →Data exfiltration →MCP token cost →