Executes a command on a remote host via SSH. WARNING: This runs commands on a remote machine. Ensure the host and command are correct before executing. Returns structured output with stdout, stderr, exit code, and duration.
AI agents invoke ssh-run to trigger actions in Python. 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.
This tool executes arbitrary shell commands on a remote system via SSH. Misuse could lead to unauthorized code execution, data theft, system compromise, or denial of service on the target host. While not inherently destructive or financial, the blast radius is significant because an AI agent could be tricked into running malicious commands on critical infrastructure.
From the tool's definition "Executes a command on a remote host via SSH" and "runs commands on a remote machine" explicitly indicate this tool runs arbitrary commands whose effects depend on the supplied host and command arguments.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Executes a command on a remote host via SSH. WARNING: This runs commands on a remote machine. Ensure the host and command are correct before executing. Returns structured output with stdout, stderr, exit code, and duration. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Python MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Python MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh-run: 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 Python. Nothing to install.
ssh-run is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the ssh-run 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for ssh-run. 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.
ssh-run is provided by the Python MCP server (Dave-London/Pare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
ssh-run is one line of Python's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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