Medium Risk

update_server

Update server configuration (only pass fields to change, rest unchanged)

Accepts URL/endpoint input (host); Handles credentials or secrets (password); High parameter count (13 properties)

Part of the Sshmcp MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

@nl4ever/sshmcp Write Risk 3/5

AI agents use update_server to create or modify resources in Sshmcp. Write operations carry medium risk because an autonomous agent could trigger bulk unintended modifications. Rate limits prevent a single agent session from making hundreds of changes in rapid succession. Argument validation ensures the agent passes expected values.

Without a policy, an AI agent could call update_server repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. Intercept's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach Sshmcp.

Write tools can modify data. A rate limit prevents runaway bulk operations from AI agents.

io-github-nikolanddtesla-sshmcp.yaml
tools:
  update_server:
    rules:
      - action: allow
        rate_limit:
          max: 30
          window: 60

See the full Sshmcp policy for all 21 tools.

Tool Name update_server
Category Write
MCP Server Sshmcp MCP Server
Risk Level Medium

View all 21 tools →

Agents calling write-class tools like update_server have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Write risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, validate) apply to each.

What does the update_server tool do? +

Update server configuration (only pass fields to change, rest unchanged). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Sshmcp MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on update_server? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for update_server. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Sshmcp MCP server.

What risk level is update_server? +

update_server is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit update_server? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the update_server rule in your Intercept 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 update_server completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for update_server. 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 update_server? +

update_server is provided by the Sshmcp MCP server (@nl4ever/sshmcp). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policies on Sshmcp

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.

npx -y @policylayer/intercept
github.com/policylayer/intercept →
// GET IN TOUCH

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