list_credentials

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why list_credentials needs a policy

This tool only queries and returns information about stored credentials without modifying, deleting, or executing anything. It is a read-only operation. The severity is low because while credential information is sensitive, this is a local query that does not directly expose the credentials themselves to external systems, and an AI agent misusing it would only learn what credentials exist, not use them to cause…

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_credentials' and description states 'List all stored SSH credentials' — a pure retrieval operation with no side effects.

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

POLICY

How to control list_credentials

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_credentials": {}
  }
}

list_credentials is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

CAP THIS TOOL →

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More SSH MCP Server tools

Destructive remove_credential Remove a stored SSH credential Execute ssh_exec Execute command over SSH using stored credentials Execute ssh_exec_raw Execute command over SSH with array arguments that are safely quoted for the remote shell Execute ssh_session_end End an interactive SSH session Execute ssh_session_start Start an interactive SSH session with PTY (for vim, htop, etc) Execute ssh_tunnel_start Start an SSH tunnel for port forwarding Execute ssh_tunnel_stop Stop an SSH tunnel Execute rsync_copy Copy files/directories between local and remote server via rsync (best for directories or

All 15 SSH MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about list_credentials

What does the list_credentials tool do? +

List all stored SSH credentials. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SSH MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_credentials? +

Register the SSH MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_credentials: 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 SSH MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_credentials? +

list_credentials is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_credentials? +

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

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

list_credentials is provided by the SSH MCP Server MCP server (kinothe-kafkaesque/ssh-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every SSH MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →