protocol_stats

THE RISK

High Risk

Why protocol_stats needs a policy

The description is incomplete ('Run a tshark' appears cut off), but in the context of a Wireshark/tshark MCP server, this tool executes tshark as an external process. Running tshark can capture live network traffic or analyze packet data, which constitutes executing an external command. The blast radius is high because tshark execution can expose sensitive network traffic, credentials, and private communications.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'protocol_stats' on a server that 'captures network traffic using Wireshark/tshark'; description says 'Run a tshark' (truncated/uninformative)

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

POLICY

How to control protocol_stats

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

policy.json

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

protocol_stats 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 Mcp Wireshark — 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

Related tools and policies

More Mcp Wireshark tools

Execute live_capture Capture live network traffic from an interface. Writes to a Write export_json Export packets from a pcap file to a JSON file at output_path. Read check_installation Check if Wireshark/tshark is installed and return version info. Read decode_protocol Extract protocol-specific fields from a pcap file using tshark Read display_filter Apply a Wireshark display filter to a pcap file and return a Read expert_info Run tshark expert analysis on a pcap file. Returns warnings, errors, Read follow_tcp Follow a TCP stream by index and return its ASCII payload. Read follow_udp Follow a UDP stream by index and return its ASCII payload.

All 13 Mcp Wireshark tools →

Execute tools on other servers

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in Mcp Wireshark → 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 →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about protocol_stats

What does the protocol_stats tool do? +

Run a tshark. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Mcp Wireshark MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on protocol_stats? +

Register the Mcp Wireshark MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for protocol_stats: 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 Mcp Wireshark. Nothing to install.

What risk level is protocol_stats? +

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

Can I rate-limit protocol_stats? +

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

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

protocol_stats is provided by the Mcp Wireshark MCP server (khuynh22/mcp-wireshark). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Mcp Wireshark tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →