# run_nikto_scan

A execute tool on the Pentester-MCP MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `run_nikto_scan`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-nikto-scan

## Facts

- Tool: `run_nikto_scan`
- Server: Pentester-MCP (`halilkirazkaya/pentester-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/halilkirazkaya/pentester-mcp
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, 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": "run_nikto_scan",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why run_nikto_scan is rated High

Nikto is a known web vulnerability scanner that performs automated reconnaissance and exploitation testing against web servers. Running it executes external security operations whose effects (network scanning, probing servers, triggering alerts) depend on target arguments and cannot be easily reversed. This fits Execute rather than Read because it actively performs security tests with side effects.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'run_nikto_scan' indicates execution of Nikto (a web server vulnerability scanner). Server description confirms Nikto is among 200+ penetration testing tools exposed via MCP, including 'web exploitation' capabilities."

## Use case

AI agents invoke run_nikto_scan 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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

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

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

## Other tools on Pentester-MCP (336)

- `dnscat_client` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/dnscat-client.md
- `execute_weevely_module` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/execute-weevely-module.md
- `generate_weevely_agent` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/generate-weevely-agent.md
- `identify_hash` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/identify-hash.md
- `john_prepare` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/john-prepare.md
- `launch_xsser_gui` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/launch-xsser-gui.md
- `manage_brew` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/manage-brew.md
- `manage_dirb_dictionaries` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/manage-dirb-dictionaries.md
- `manage_mounts` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/manage-mounts.md
- `manage_sliver_daemon` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/manage-sliver-daemon.md
- `manage_wpprobe` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/manage-wpprobe.md
- `monitor_fping` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/monitor-fping.md
- `objection_explore` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/objection-explore.md
- `objection_patch` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/objection-patch.md
- `run_403bypasser` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-403bypasser.md
- `run_addcomputer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-addcomputer.md
- `run_aircrack_action` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-aircrack-action.md
- `run_aix` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-aix.md
- `run_alterx` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-alterx.md
- `run_amass` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-amass.md
- `run_apktool` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-apktool.md
- `run_arachni` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-arachni.md
- `run_arjun` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-arjun.md
- `run_asnmap` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-asnmap.md
- `run_atexec` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-atexec.md
- `run_autobloody` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-autobloody.md
- `run_autorecon` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-autorecon.md
- `run_awk` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-awk.md
- `run_bbot` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-bbot.md
- `run_binwalk` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp/run-binwalk.md
- …and 306 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp.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=halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/halilkirazkaya-pentester-mcp