spawn_pth · Cobalt Strike MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What spawn_pth does on Cobalt Strike MCP Server

AI agents invoke spawn_pth 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_pth needs a policy

Pass-the-hash is a credential-based lateral movement technique that spawns a new process or beacon authenticated via a stolen NTLM hash. This executes code/processes on remote systems using compromised credentials, representing a critical-severity Execute action within an offensive red team framework. The blast radius is critical as it enables unauthorized access propagation across an enterprise environment.

From the tool's definition 'Pass-the-hash (spawn mode)' — spawns a new beacon/process using stolen NTLM hash credentials for lateral movement

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

spawn_pth Rate-limited

spawn_pth 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_pth": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "spawn_pth_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_pth

What does the spawn_pth tool do? +

Pass-the-hash (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_pth? +

Register the Cobalt Strike MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for spawn_pth: 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_pth? +

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

Can I rate-limit spawn_pth? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the spawn_pth 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_pth completely? +

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

spawn_pth 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.