step_over

THE RISK

High Risk

Why step_over needs a policy

Stepping over a statement advances the execution of a running program, which is an active execution control operation. While it doesn't execute arbitrary code directly, it drives program execution forward in a debug session, making Execute the appropriate category. Misuse could cause unintended program state changes or bypass critical breakpoints.

From the tool's definition "Step over the current statement" — advances execution in a live debugging session, controlling program flow through the V8 Inspector Protocol

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

POLICY

How to control step_over

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

policy.json

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

step_over 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 Mcp Debugger Node — 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 Mcp Debugger Node tools

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All 11 Mcp Debugger Node tools →

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in Mcp Debugger Node → 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 step_over

What does the step_over tool do? +

Step over the current statement. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Mcp Debugger Node MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on step_over? +

Register the Mcp Debugger Node MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for step_over: 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 Mcp Debugger Node. Nothing to install.

What risk level is step_over? +

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

Can I rate-limit step_over? +

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

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

step_over is provided by the Mcp Debugger Node MCP server (mohammed-almassri/mcp-debugger-node). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Mcp Debugger Node tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →