start_system_vm
Start a system virtual machine
This record as markdown: /tools/mozg31337-cloudstack-mcp-server/start-system-vm.md
What start_system_vm does on CloudStack MCP Server
AI agents invoke start_system_vm to trigger actions in CloudStack 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 start_system_vm is rated High
Starting a system virtual machine is an execute action—it runs a command that changes the state of CloudStack infrastructure. While not destructive (reversible via stop_system_vm) and not immediately catastrophic in isolation, it has significant blast radius if misused by an agent (could start unintended VMs, trigger cascading infrastructure changes, or consume resources).
From the tool's definition Tool name 'start_system_vm' and description 'Start a system virtual machine' indicate execution of an operational command that triggers external infrastructure state changes.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs start_system_vm safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and CloudStack MCP Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For start_system_vm, this is the rule to start with:
start_system_vm 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.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect CloudStack MCP Server, apply this rule, and every start_system_vm call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about start_system_vm
Start a system virtual machine. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the CloudStack MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the CloudStack MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for start_system_vm: 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 CloudStack MCP Server. Nothing to install.
start_system_vm is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the start_system_vm 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 start_system_vm. 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.
start_system_vm is provided by the CloudStack MCP Server MCP server (mozg31337/cloudstack-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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