Get the startup configuration (saved configuration) from the device.
AI agents call get_startup_config to retrieve information from Netmiko MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves data without side effects, placing it in the Read category. Severity is high because startup configurations typically contain sensitive security-relevant information (credentials, ACLs, routing policies, interface details) that could be valuable to an attacker if exposed through agent misuse, even though the action itself is non-destructive and non-modifying.
From the tool's definition Tool description: 'Get the startup configuration (saved configuration) from the device.' The verb 'Get' indicates retrieval with no modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get the startup configuration (saved configuration) from the device. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Netmiko MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Netmiko MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_startup_config: 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 Netmiko MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_startup_config 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 get_startup_config 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 get_startup_config. 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.
get_startup_config is provided by the Netmiko MCP Server MCP server (owen123-lang/netmiko_mcp_server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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