start_tcpdump_capture

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/start-tcpdump-capture.md

WHAT IT DOES

What start_tcpdump_capture does on Pentester-MCP

AI agents invoke start_tcpdump_capture 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 start_tcpdump_capture is rated High

tcpdump is a command-line tool that executes packet capture operations on network interfaces. While not inherently destructive or financial, starting a capture is an Execute action—it runs an external tool whose effects (packet interception, monitoring) depend on runtime conditions and system state. An AI misusing this could perform unauthorized network surveillance.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'start_tcpdump_capture' indicates execution of tcpdump, a network packet capture utility that triggers external system-level operations.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

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

start_tcpdump_capture Rate-limited

start_tcpdump_capture 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": {
    "start_tcpdump_capture": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "start_tcpdump_capture_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 start_tcpdump_capture call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about start_tcpdump_capture

What does the start_tcpdump_capture tool do? +

start_tcpdump_capture 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 start_tcpdump_capture? +

Register the Pentester MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_tcpdump_capture: 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_tcpdump_capture? +

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

Can I rate-limit start_tcpdump_capture? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the start_tcpdump_capture 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_tcpdump_capture completely? +

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

start_tcpdump_capture 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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