nikto_scan

Execute Nikto web vulnerability scanner with enhanced logging.

SERVERHexstrike Ai SOURCE0x4m4/hexstrike-ai

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/hexstrike-ai/nikto-scan.md

WHAT IT DOES

What nikto_scan does on Hexstrike Ai

AI agents invoke nikto_scan to trigger actions in Hexstrike Ai. 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 nikto_scan is rated High

Nikto is an active web vulnerability scanner that sends probes to target web servers, identifying misconfigurations, outdated software, and vulnerabilities. This constitutes executing an external offensive security operation against a target system. Misuse by an AI agent could result in unauthorized scanning of systems, potentially illegal under computer fraud laws, and causing disruption to target services.

From the tool's definition Execute Nikto web vulnerability scanner with enhanced logging

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs nikto_scan safely

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

nikto_scan Rate-limited

nikto_scan 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": {
    "nikto_scan": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "nikto_scan_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 Hexstrike Ai, apply this rule, and every nikto_scan call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about nikto_scan

What does the nikto_scan tool do? +

Execute Nikto web vulnerability scanner with enhanced logging. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Hexstrike Ai MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on nikto_scan? +

Register the Hexstrike Ai MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for nikto_scan: 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 Hexstrike Ai. Nothing to install.

What risk level is nikto_scan? +

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

Can I rate-limit nikto_scan? +

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

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

nikto_scan is provided by the Hexstrike Ai MCP server (0x4m4/hexstrike-ai). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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