ssh-test

Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host using

SERVERGithub SOURCE@paretools/github

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-github/ssh-test.md

WHAT IT DOES

What ssh-test does on Github

AI agents invoke ssh-test to trigger actions in Github. 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 executing a network connection attempt to a remote host. This is an active operation with external side effects (network traffic, connection attempts), not merely a passive read. The description is truncated ('using' is incomplete), which lowers confidence slightly, but the core action of establishing/testing an SSH connection is clearly an Execute-category operation.

From the tool's definition 'Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host' — initiates an outbound SSH connection to an external host

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 Github, 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 Github, 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 Github 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 Github 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 Github. 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 Github MCP server (@paretools/github). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Github, and thousands of servers like it.

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Guides

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