List files in a directory on the remote server
AI agents call ssh_list_files to retrieve information from SSH MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves information (directory listing) from a remote server without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It is a pure read operation. Severity is low because directory listing does not expose sensitive data in itself, though the information revealed could be reconnaissance for further attacks—but the tool itself performs no destructive or risky action.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'ssh_list_files' and description 'List files in a directory on the remote server' indicate a query/retrieval operation with no side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access ssh_list_files gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and SSH MCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for ssh_list_files:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"ssh_list_files": {}
}
}ssh_list_files is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
Free to start. No card required.
List files in a directory on the remote server. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SSH MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the SSH MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh_list_files: 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 SSH MCP. Nothing to install.
ssh_list_files 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 ssh_list_files 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 ssh_list_files. 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.
ssh_list_files is provided by the SSH MCP server (mixelpixx/ssh-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from SSH MCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
6 SSH MCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.