run_tcpdump

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-tcpdump.md

WHAT IT DOES

What run_tcpdump does on Pentester-MCP

AI agents invoke run_tcpdump 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_tcpdump is rated High

tcpdump runs external system commands to capture and monitor network traffic in real-time. This is Execute rather than Read because it performs active packet capture operations with side effects (network inspection, potential traffic interception). Severity is high due to the capability to monitor sensitive network communications, though not financial or permanently destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'run_tcpdump'; tcpdump is a packet capture utility that executes network monitoring commands. Despite empty description, the name and server context (penetration testing tools) clearly indicate command execution.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs run_tcpdump 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_tcpdump, this is the rule to start with:

run_tcpdump Rate-limited

run_tcpdump 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_tcpdump": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_tcpdump_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_tcpdump call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about run_tcpdump

What does the run_tcpdump tool do? +

run_tcpdump 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_tcpdump? +

Register the Pentester MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run_tcpdump: 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_tcpdump? +

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

Can I rate-limit run_tcpdump? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the run_tcpdump 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_tcpdump completely? +

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

run_tcpdump 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.

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