adb_shell

THE RISK

High Risk

Why adb_shell needs a policy

This tool runs arbitrary shell commands on an Android device. An AI agent could misuse it to read sensitive data, modify system files, delete user data, exfiltrate information, install malware, or brick the device. It spans Read, Write, Destructive, and Execute categories; Execute/Destructive is the highest applicable risk. The blast radius is critical because arbitrary shell access provides full device control.

From the tool's definition "Executes shell commands on a connected Android device"

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

POLICY

How to control adb_shell

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

policy.json

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

adb_shell 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 Android ADB 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.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Android ADB MCP Server tools

Destructive adb_uninstall Uninstalls an application from a connected Android device Execute launch_app Launches an application on a connected Android device Execute adb_install Installs APK files on a connected Android device Write adb_push Pushes files from the local system to a connected Android device Read adb_devices Lists all connected Android devices and their connection status Read adb_list_packages Lists all installed packages on a connected Android device Read adb_pull Pulls files from a connected Android device to the local system Read take_screenshot_and_copy_to_clipboard Takes a screenshot and copies it to the clipboard

All 10 Android ADB MCP Server tools →

Execute tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server adb_shell_command EMBA-MCP run_emba_scan Frida Game Hacking MCP remove_breakpoint Procmon request_elevation

Go deeper

High-risk tools in Android ADB MCP Server → 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 adb_shell

What does the adb_shell tool do? +

Executes shell commands on a connected Android device. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Android ADB MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on adb_shell? +

Register the Android ADB MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for adb_shell: 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 Android ADB MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is adb_shell? +

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

Can I rate-limit adb_shell? +

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

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

adb_shell is provided by the Android ADB MCP Server MCP server (landicefu/android-adb-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 Android ADB MCP Server tool call.

Start from Android ADB 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 →