netdiscover_scan · Kali MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What netdiscover_scan does on Kali

AI agents invoke netdiscover_scan to trigger actions in Kali. 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 IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why netdiscover_scan needs a policy

netdiscover is a network address discovery tool that actively sends ARP packets to discover hosts on a network. On a Kali Linux pentesting server alongside tools like beef_exploit and autorecon_scan, this tool executes active network reconnaissance. The description is empty, reducing confidence slightly, but the tool name and server context strongly imply active network scanning execution.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'netdiscover_scan' on a Kali Linux MCP server described as providing 'network scanning, web scanning, password attacks' and related penetration testing tools. Sibling tools include active scanners and exploit frameworks.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

netdiscover_scan Rate-limited

netdiscover_scan 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Kali, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about netdiscover_scan

What does the netdiscover_scan tool do? +

netdiscover_scan. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Kali MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on netdiscover_scan? +

Register the Kali MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for netdiscover_scan: 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 Kali. Nothing to install.

What risk level is netdiscover_scan? +

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

Can I rate-limit netdiscover_scan? +

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

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

netdiscover_scan is provided by the Kali MCP server (pentestt00ls/kali-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.