# nikto_scan

Execute Nikto web vulnerability scanner with enhanced logging.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `nikto_scan`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/nikto-scan

## Facts

- Tool: `nikto_scan`
- Server: Hexstrike Ai (`0x4m4/hexstrike-ai`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/0x4m4/hexstrike-ai
- Risk category: Execute (High risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "nikto_scan",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## 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Nikto is an active web vulnerability scanner that sends probes to target web servers, identifying misconfigurations, outdated software, and vulnerabilities.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 own definition: "Execute Nikto web vulnerability scanner with enhanced logging"

## Use case

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.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Hexstrike Ai:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "nikto_scan": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "nikto_scan_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Hexstrike Ai (149)

- `clear_cache` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/clear-cache.md
- `delete_file` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/delete-file.md
- `advanced_payload_generation` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/advanced-payload-generation.md
- `ai_generate_attack_suite` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/ai-generate-attack-suite.md
- `ai_generate_payload` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/ai-generate-payload.md
- `ai_reconnaissance_workflow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/ai-reconnaissance-workflow.md
- `ai_test_payload` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/ai-test-payload.md
- `ai_vulnerability_assessment` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/ai-vulnerability-assessment.md
- `amass_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/amass-scan.md
- `angr_symbolic_execution` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/angr-symbolic-execution.md
- `api_fuzzer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/api-fuzzer.md
- `arjun_parameter_discovery` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/arjun-parameter-discovery.md
- `arjun_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/arjun-scan.md
- `arp_scan_discovery` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/arp-scan-discovery.md
- `autorecon_comprehensive` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/autorecon-comprehensive.md
- `autorecon_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/autorecon-scan.md
- `binwalk_analyze` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/binwalk-analyze.md
- `browser_agent_inspect` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/browser-agent-inspect.md
- `bugbounty_authentication_bypass_testing` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/bugbounty-authentication-bypass-testing.md
- `bugbounty_business_logic_testing` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/bugbounty-business-logic-testing.md
- `bugbounty_comprehensive_assessment` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/bugbounty-comprehensive-assessment.md
- `bugbounty_file_upload_testing` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/bugbounty-file-upload-testing.md
- `bugbounty_osint_gathering` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/bugbounty-osint-gathering.md
- `bugbounty_reconnaissance_workflow` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/bugbounty-reconnaissance-workflow.md
- `bugbounty_vulnerability_hunting` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/bugbounty-vulnerability-hunting.md
- `burpsuite_alternative_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/burpsuite-alternative-scan.md
- `burpsuite_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/burpsuite-scan.md
- `checkov_iac_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/checkov-iac-scan.md
- `clair_vulnerability_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/clair-vulnerability-scan.md
- `comprehensive_api_audit` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai/comprehensive-api-audit.md
- …and 119 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/hexstrike-ai.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=hexstrike-ai · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/hexstrike-ai