network_defense

Network: connections, traffic capture, port scan detection, IPv6 audit, self-scan, segmentation

SERVERDefense SOURCEdefense-mcp-server

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 121 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/defense/network-defense.md

WHAT IT DOES

What network_defense does on Defense

AI agents use network_defense to create or update resources in Defense, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Defense environment.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`count`	number	—	Number of packets to capture
`action`	string	Yes	Network defense action
`filter`	string	—	BPF filter expression
`target`	string	—	Scan target
`dry_run`	boolean	—	Preview without executing
`process`	boolean	—	Show process information
`duration`	number	—	Capture duration in seconds
`log_file`	string	—	Log file to analyze
`protocol`	string	—	Protocol filter
`dest_zone`	string	—	Destination network zone/subnet CIDR
`interface`	string	—	Network interface to capture on
`listening`	boolean	—	Show only listening sockets

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why network_defense is rated Medium

An AI agent can call network_defense faster than any human can review: one bad instruction and it creates or modifies resources in Defense by the hundred, each call as confident as the last.

Risk signalsHigh parameter count (19 properties)

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs network_defense safely

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

network_defense Rate-limited

network_defense stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "network_defense": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "network_defense_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

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

FAQ

Questions about network_defense

What does the network_defense tool do? +

Network: connections, traffic capture, port scan detection, IPv6 audit, self-scan, segmentation. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Defense MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

What parameters does network_defense accept? +

network_defense accepts 12 parameters: count, action, filter, target, dry_run, process, duration, log_file, protocol, dest_zone, interface, listening. Required: action. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on network_defense? +

Register the Defense MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for network_defense: 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 Defense. Nothing to install.

What risk level is network_defense? +

network_defense is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit network_defense? +

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

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

network_defense is provided by the Defense MCP server (defense-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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This server

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The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Govern customer-ops agents →Argument validation →Scoped token →