ssh_upload_file

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why ssh_upload_file needs a policy

This tool writes data to a remote server via file upload. While the upload itself is reversible (files can be deleted), the severity is high because: (1) it modifies remote system state, (2) the blast radius depends on what files are uploaded and their permissions—malicious files could compromise system security, (3) it operates within the context of an SSH server that enables broad command execution capabilities.

From the tool's definition Tool description explicitly states 'Upload a local file...to the remote server via SFTP'. The action creates or modifies data on a remote system by transferring a file, which is reversible (the file can be deleted or overwritten).

Risk signalsAdmin/system-level operation

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

POLICY

How to control ssh_upload_file

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ssh_upload_file": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ssh_upload_file_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

ssh_upload_file stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register SSH Remote MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

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All 21 SSH Remote MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about ssh_upload_file

What does the ssh_upload_file tool do? +

Upload a local file from an allowed local root to the remote server via SFTP. It is categorised as a Write tool in the SSH Remote MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on ssh_upload_file? +

Register the SSH Remote MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh_upload_file: 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 Remote MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ssh_upload_file? +

ssh_upload_file is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit ssh_upload_file? +

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

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

ssh_upload_file is provided by the SSH Remote MCP Server MCP server (nqmn/adremote-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every SSH Remote MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →