Downloads a file from a configured SSH server via SFTP. Without
AI agents call ssh_download to retrieve information from MCP SSH Proxy without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
ssh_download retrieves file contents from remote servers without side effects. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute anything. The operation is passive data retrieval. The presence of human-in-the-loop approval requirements further mitigates risk. Severity is low because the blast radius is limited to access to files the SSH user can already read, and downloading files poses no destructive or financial risk.
From the tool's definition Tool description states: 'Downloads a file from a configured SSH server via SFTP.' This is a retrieval operation that reads and transfers file data without modifying the remote system.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Downloads a file from a configured SSH server via SFTP. Without. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP SSH Proxy MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MCP SSH Proxy MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh_download: 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 MCP SSH Proxy. Nothing to install.
ssh_download 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 ssh_download 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 ssh_download. 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.
ssh_download is provided by the MCP SSH Proxy MCP server (quinbook/mcpsshproxy). 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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