AI agents invoke start_ssh_tunnel 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.
SSH tunnel creation is an Execute action—it runs a command/process to establish network connections and modify traffic flow. While not inherently destructive or financial, it enables arbitrary network operations whose impact depends on what the tunnel is used for. In a penetration testing context with 200+ exploitation tools, starting tunnels could facilitate unauthorized access or lateral movement.
From the tool's definition Tool named 'start_ssh_tunnel' with empty description; context indicates this MCP server enables execution of penetration testing tools.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access start_ssh_tunnel gives an agent:
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_ssh_tunnel:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"start_ssh_tunnel": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "start_ssh_tunnel_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}start_ssh_tunnel 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.
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start_ssh_tunnel. 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.
Register the Pentester- MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_ssh_tunnel: 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.
start_ssh_tunnel is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the start_ssh_tunnel 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for start_ssh_tunnel. 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.
start_ssh_tunnel 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.
Start from Pentester-MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
337 Pentester-MCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.