spawn_printscreen · Cobalt Strike MCP Server MCP

WHAT IT DOES

What spawn_printscreen does on Cobalt Strike MCP Server

AI agents invoke spawn_printscreen to trigger actions in Cobalt Strike MCP Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why spawn_printscreen needs a policy

In Cobalt Strike, spawn-mode commands fork a new process and inject a capability into it. Capturing a screenshot via spawn mode executes code on the target system, making this an Execute-category action. The broader context (red team beacon control, 200+ tools for beacon control) and the 'spawn' qualifier confirm active code execution on a remote host.

From the tool's definition 'Print screen (spawn mode)' on a Cobalt Strike MCP server — 'spawn mode' indicates spawning a new process/beacon to capture the screen, which is an active execution operation on a compromised host

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

spawn_printscreen Rate-limited

spawn_printscreen 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Cobalt Strike MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about spawn_printscreen

What does the spawn_printscreen tool do? +

Print screen (spawn mode). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Cobalt Strike 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 spawn_printscreen? +

Register the Cobalt Strike MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for spawn_printscreen: 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.

What risk level is spawn_printscreen? +

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

Can I rate-limit spawn_printscreen? +

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

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

spawn_printscreen 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.