crow_browser_download

THE RISK

High Risk

Why crow_browser_download needs a policy

The tool triggers external browser operations via CDP (Chrome DevTools Protocol) and saves files to the host filesystem. It spans Execute (browser click action) and Write (saving files to disk). The most severe applicable category is Execute.

From the tool's definition 'Trigger a file download by clicking an element' and 'Uses a container bind mount + CDP download behavior' — this executes a browser action (click) and writes arbitrary files to the host filesystem at ~/.crow/browser-downloads/

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access crow_browser_download gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control crow_browser_download

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Crow, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for crow_browser_download:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "crow_browser_download": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "crow_browser_download_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

crow_browser_download 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.

Create a free account and register Crow — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in Crow → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
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FAQ

Questions about crow_browser_download

What does the crow_browser_download tool do? +

Trigger a file download by clicking an element, and save it to the host at ~/.crow/browser-downloads/. Uses a container bind mount + CDP download behavior. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Crow MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on crow_browser_download? +

Register the Crow MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for crow_browser_download: 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 Crow. Nothing to install.

What risk level is crow_browser_download? +

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

Can I rate-limit crow_browser_download? +

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

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

crow_browser_download is provided by the Crow MCP server (kh0pper/crow). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Crow tool call.

Start from Crow, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →