# run_tcpdump

A execute tool on the Pentester-MCP MCP server.

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

## Facts

- Tool: `run_tcpdump`
- 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_tcpdump",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## 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 own 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."

## Use case

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.

## 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_tcpdump": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_tcpdump_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