# nmap_scan

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

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `nmap_scan`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/nmap-scan

## Facts

- Tool: `nmap_scan`
- Server: Kali Linux MCP Server (`alessandroannini/kali-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/AlessandroAnnini/kali-mcp-server
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade D, 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": "nmap_scan",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## 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 own definition: "'Perform network scanning with Nmap to discover hosts, ports, and services' — actively runs Nmap, an external network scanning tool, against target hosts"

## Use case

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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Kali Linux MCP Server:

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

## Other tools on Kali Linux MCP Server (13)

- `dirb_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/dirb-scan.md
- `jwt_security_test` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/jwt-security-test.md
- `nikto_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/nikto-scan.md
- `nuclei_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/nuclei-scan.md
- `retirejs_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/retirejs-scan.md
- `sqlmap_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/sqlmap-scan.md
- `testssl_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/testssl-scan.md
- `vpn_connect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/vpn-connect.md
- `vpn_disconnect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/vpn-disconnect.md
- `zap_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/zap-scan.md
- `jwt_decode` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/jwt-decode.md
- `security_headers_check` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/security-headers-check.md
- `vpn_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server/vpn-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=alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/alessandroannini-kali-mcp-server