ssh_session_list

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why ssh_session_list needs a policy

This tool retrieves information about active SSH sessions without making changes, executing code, or triggering side effects. Listing sessions is a read-only information retrieval operation. The severity is low because the information disclosed is limited to session metadata that an authenticated user would typically already have visibility into, and there is no capability to modify, delete, or execute operations.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'ssh_session_list' and description 'List all active SSH sessions' indicate a query/enumeration operation with no modifications or execution of commands.

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

POLICY

How to control ssh_session_list

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 ssh_session_list:

policy.json

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

ssh_session_list 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 →

Free to start. No card required.

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 →

Read tools on other servers

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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 ssh_session_list

What does the ssh_session_list tool do? +

List all active SSH sessions. 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 ssh_session_list? +

Register the SSH MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh_session_list: 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 ssh_session_list? +

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

Can I rate-limit ssh_session_list? +

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

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

ssh_session_list 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 →