start_security_scan

THE RISK

High Risk

Why start_security_scan needs a policy

Security scanning is an external operation that triggers infrastructure scanning with effects dependent on configuration and scope. On AWS, security scans can examine resources, trigger API calls, and generate findings. This constitutes execution of a defined process rather than simple data retrieval. The high severity reflects that misconfigured scans could be noisy, resource-intensive, or expose sensitive findings.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'start_security_scan' indicates execution of a security scanning operation. The description is empty, limiting direct evidence.

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

POLICY

How to control start_security_scan

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

policy.json

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

start_security_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.

Create a free account and register AWS — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More AWS tools

Destructive bulk_delete_by_criteria bulk_delete_by_criteria Destructive cache_delete Delete a value from the cache. Args: key: The key to delete Returns: Destructive cache_delete_many Delete multiple values from the cache. Args: keys: List of keys to delete Destructive cache_delete_multi Delete multiple values from the cache (alias for delete_many). Args: keys: Li Destructive delete Delete a Valkey key. Args: key (str): The key to delete. Returns: Destructive delete_access_key delete_access_key Destructive delete_datastore Delete a data store from AWS HealthImaging. Destructive delete_group delete_group

All 300 AWS tools →

Execute tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server adb_shell_command EMBA-MCP run_emba_scan Frida Game Hacking MCP remove_breakpoint Procmon request_elevation

Go deeper

Govern code and CI agents → Branch allowlists, approval on merges, and rate caps on the build and pipeline tools agents trigger.
High-risk tools in AWS → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →
PolicyLayer vs alternatives → How deterministic, per-call MCP policy compares with gateways, identity layers, and authorisation platforms.

FAQ

Questions about start_security_scan

What does the start_security_scan tool do? +

start_security_scan. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the AWS MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on start_security_scan? +

Register the AWS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_security_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 AWS. Nothing to install.

What risk level is start_security_scan? +

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

Can I rate-limit start_security_scan? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the start_security_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 start_security_scan completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for start_security_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 start_security_scan? +

start_security_scan is provided by the AWS MCP server (@awslabs/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every AWS tool call.

Start from AWS, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →