ssh-test

Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host using

SERVERDocker SOURCE@paretools/docker

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/io-github-dave-london-docker/ssh-test.md

WHAT IT DOES

What ssh-test does on Docker

AI agents invoke ssh-test to trigger actions in Docker. 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 ssh-test is rated High

Testing SSH connectivity involves actively attempting to establish a network connection to a remote host. This is not a pure read/query operation — it executes an SSH connection attempt, which triggers external operations. The description is truncated ('using' with no completion), which lowers confidence slightly, but the core action of testing SSH connectivity implies executing a connection attempt.

From the tool's definition 'Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host' — initiates an active network connection/operation to a remote host, which is an external operation with side effects beyond mere reading

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs ssh-test safely

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

ssh-test Rate-limited

ssh-test 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": {
    "ssh-test": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ssh-test_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 Docker, apply this rule, and every ssh-test call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about ssh-test

What does the ssh-test tool do? +

Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host using. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Docker MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on ssh-test? +

Register the Docker MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh-test: 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 Docker. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ssh-test? +

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

Can I rate-limit ssh-test? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the ssh-test 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 ssh-test completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for ssh-test. 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 ssh-test? +

ssh-test is provided by the Docker MCP server (@paretools/docker). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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