Get active file downloads for a beacon
AI agents call get_beacon_active_downloads to retrieve information from Cobalt Strike MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves status information about ongoing file downloads associated with a beacon—a read-only operation with no side effects on data or systems. However, severity is rated 'high' because the Cobalt Strike context indicates this is part of a red team command & control framework where unauthorized access to beacon operations could facilitate malicious activities, and the tool provides intelligence about…
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_beacon_active_downloads' and description 'Get active file downloads for a beacon' indicate retrieval/querying of download status with no data modification or destructive action.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get active file downloads for a beacon. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Cobalt Strike MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Cobalt Strike MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_beacon_active_downloads: 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 Cobalt Strike MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_beacon_active_downloads is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_beacon_active_downloads 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_beacon_active_downloads. 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.
get_beacon_active_downloads is provided by the Cobalt Strike MCP Server MCP server (mickeydb/cobalt-strike-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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