start_recon_ng_interactive

THE RISK

High Risk

Why start_recon_ng_interactive needs a policy

This tool executes recon-ng, a reconnaissance framework that performs autonomous information gathering (DNS lookups, IP enumeration, web scraping, etc.). While reconnaissance itself is typically read-like in outcome, the tool EXECUTES external commands and operations whose side effects depend on configuration and arguments—potentially triggering network scans, DNS queries, or other reconnaissance activities that…

From the tool's definition Tool name contains 'start_recon_ng_interactive' which starts an interactive reconnaissance tool (recon-ng is a open-source reconnaissance framework).

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access start_recon_ng_interactive gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control start_recon_ng_interactive

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Pentester-MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for start_recon_ng_interactive:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "start_recon_ng_interactive": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "start_recon_ng_interactive_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

start_recon_ng_interactive 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.

Create a free account and register Pentester-MCP — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

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EXPLORE

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Go deeper

Govern code and CI agents → Branch allowlists, approval on merges, and rate caps on the build and pipeline tools agents trigger.
High-risk tools in Pentester-MCP → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →
PolicyLayer vs alternatives → How deterministic, per-call MCP policy compares with gateways, identity layers, and authorisation platforms.

FAQ

Questions about start_recon_ng_interactive

What does the start_recon_ng_interactive tool do? +

start_recon_ng_interactive. 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 start_recon_ng_interactive? +

Register the Pentester- MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_recon_ng_interactive: 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 start_recon_ng_interactive? +

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

Can I rate-limit start_recon_ng_interactive? +

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

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

start_recon_ng_interactive 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.

Enforce policy on every Pentester-MCP tool call.

Start from Pentester-MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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