wireshark_capture · Kali MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What wireshark_capture does on Kali

AI agents invoke wireshark_capture 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 wireshark_capture needs a policy

While the description is empty, 'wireshark_capture' strongly implies network packet capture using Wireshark. This is an Execute-level action as it actively intercepts and records network traffic, which can capture sensitive credentials, session tokens, and private communications.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'wireshark_capture' on a Kali Linux penetration testing server with tools including network scanning, password attacks, and exploitation tools.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

wireshark_capture Rate-limited

wireshark_capture 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": {
    "wireshark_capture": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "wireshark_capture_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 wireshark_capture

What does the wireshark_capture tool do? +

wireshark_capture. 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 wireshark_capture? +

Register the Kali MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for wireshark_capture: 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 wireshark_capture? +

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

Can I rate-limit wireshark_capture? +

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

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

wireshark_capture 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.