run_masscan

A execute tool on the Pentester- MCP server.

SERVERPentester-MCP SOURCEhalilkirazkaya/pentester-mcp

High RISK CLASS

Category Execute

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-masscan.md

WHAT IT DOES

What run_masscan does on Pentester-MCP

AI agents invoke run_masscan to trigger actions in Pentester-MCP. 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 run_masscan is rated High

Masscan is an executable network scanning tool that runs external operations (network reconnaissance) whose effects depend on arguments (target hosts, ports, scan parameters). This qualifies as Execute rather than Read because it actively probes external systems and generates network traffic with real-world consequences.

From the tool's definition Tool named 'run_masscan' on a penetration testing server that enables execution of 'over 200 open-source penetration testing tools' including 'reconnaissance' and 'web exploitation.' Masscan is a network port scanner that performs active reconnaissance and…

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs run_masscan safely

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

run_masscan Rate-limited

run_masscan 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": {
    "run_masscan": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_masscan_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 Pentester-MCP, apply this rule, and every run_masscan call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about run_masscan

What does the run_masscan tool do? +

run_masscan is a execute tool on the Pentester MCP server. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Pentester-MCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on run_masscan? +

Register the Pentester MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run_masscan: 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 Pentester-MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is run_masscan? +

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

Can I rate-limit run_masscan? +

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

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

run_masscan is provided by the Pentester MCP server (halilkirazkaya/pentester-mcp). 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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