picklescan_scan · Model Safety MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What picklescan_scan does on Model Safety MCP

AI agents invoke picklescan_scan to trigger actions in Model Safety MCP. 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.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why picklescan_scan needs a policy

This tool executes an external security scanning program (picklescan) against local files or downloads content from a URL to scan it. It runs an external process whose effects depend on the arguments (path or URL), placing it in the Execute category.

From the tool's definition 'Run picklescan against a local path or downloadable URL' — executes an external scanning tool against a file path or remote URL

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

picklescan_scan Rate-limited

picklescan_scan 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": {
    "picklescan_scan": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "picklescan_scan_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Model Safety MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about picklescan_scan

What does the picklescan_scan tool do? +

Run picklescan against a local path or downloadable URL. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Model Safety MCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on picklescan_scan? +

Register the Model Safety MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for picklescan_scan: 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 Model Safety MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is picklescan_scan? +

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

Can I rate-limit picklescan_scan? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the picklescan_scan 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 picklescan_scan completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for picklescan_scan. 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 picklescan_scan? +

picklescan_scan is provided by the Model Safety MCP server (itsalissonsilva/modelsafetymcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.