stop_debugging

THE RISK

High Risk

Why stop_debugging needs a policy

This tool triggers an external operation (terminating a VS Code debug session) whose effects depend on context—which debugging session is active and what code is being debugged. While stopping a debug session is less severe than arbitrary code execution, it still qualifies as Execute because it controls the state and flow of external processes.

From the tool's definition Tool is part of a debugging system that 'enables AI agents to debug code inside VS Code' with capabilities to control execution flow (start_debugging, continue_execution, step_into, stop_debugging). The stop_debugging action terminates an active debug session.

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

POLICY

How to control stop_debugging

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

policy.json

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

stop_debugging 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 DebugMCP — 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 DebugMCP tools

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All 13 DebugMCP tools →

Execute tools on other servers

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in DebugMCP → 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 stop_debugging

What does the stop_debugging tool do? +

Stop the current debug session. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the DebugMCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on stop_debugging? +

Register the Debug MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for stop_debugging: 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 DebugMCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is stop_debugging? +

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

Can I rate-limit stop_debugging? +

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

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

stop_debugging is provided by the Debug MCP server (microsoft/debugmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every DebugMCP tool call.

Start from DebugMCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →