nmap_scan

Perform network scanning with Nmap to discover hosts, ports, and services

SERVERKali Linux MCP Server SOURCEalessandroannini/kali-mcp-server

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade D, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/nmap-scan.md

WHAT IT DOES

What nmap_scan does on Kali Linux MCP Server

AI agents invoke nmap_scan to trigger actions in Kali Linux MCP Server. 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.

RISK

Why nmap_scan is rated High

Nmap is an active network scanner that sends packets to remote hosts to enumerate open ports and services. This constitutes executing an external operation with real network effects. Misuse could involve scanning unauthorized targets (illegal under many jurisdictions), performing reconnaissance on production infrastructure, or triggering intrusion detection systems.

From the tool's definition 'Perform network scanning with Nmap to discover hosts, ports, and services' — actively runs Nmap, an external network scanning tool, against target hosts

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs nmap_scan safely

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

nmap_scan Rate-limited

nmap_scan 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "nmap_scan": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "nmap_scan_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Kali Linux MCP Server, apply this rule, and every nmap_scan call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about nmap_scan

What does the nmap_scan tool do? +

Perform network scanning with Nmap to discover hosts, ports, and services. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Kali Linux MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on nmap_scan? +

Register the Kali Linux MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for nmap_scan: 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 Kali Linux MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is nmap_scan? +

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

Can I rate-limit nmap_scan? +

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

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

nmap_scan is provided by the Kali Linux MCP Server MCP server (alessandroannini/kali-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Kali Linux MCP Server, and thousands of servers like it.

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run_emba_scan on EMBA-MCP → All high-risk MCP tools → The MCP Attack Database →

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