download_file

Read/download a file from the Kali Linux container. Useful for retrieving scan results and output files.

SERVERKali SOURCEhannes221/kali-mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/hannes221-kali-mcp/download-file.md

WHAT IT DOES

What download_file does on Kali

AI agents call download_file to retrieve information from Kali without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why download_file is rated Low

This tool retrieves files from the container without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a simple read operation with no destructive or harmful side effects. The severity is low because unauthorized file access depends on what files exist and their sensitivity, but the tool itself performs only retrieval. Confidence is high due to the explicit 'Read/download' language in the description.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Read/download a file' and is described as 'Useful for retrieving scan results and output files.' The verb 'download' and 'read' clearly indicate data retrieval with no side effects.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs download_file safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Kali, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For download_file, this is the rule to start with:

download_file Allowed

download_file is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "download_file": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Kali, apply this rule, and every download_file call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about download_file

What does the download_file tool do? +

Read/download a file from the Kali Linux container. Useful for retrieving scan results and output files. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Kali MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on download_file? +

Register the Kali MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for download_file: 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 Kali. Nothing to install.

What risk level is download_file? +

download_file is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit download_file? +

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

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

download_file is provided by the Kali MCP server (hannes221/kali-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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