Fetch the contents of any file. Useful for reading full logs, output files, or resources.
AI agents call fetch_file to retrieve information from pentestMCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves file contents without creating, modifying, or deleting data, placing it in the Read category. However, severity is elevated to 'high' because: (1) in a penetration testing context, file fetching could expose sensitive credentials, source code, or system configuration; (2) the phrase 'any file' suggests unrestricted access scope; (3) sibling tools on this server (ad_dcsync, ad_ldap_dump,…
From the tool's definition Tool name 'fetch_file' and description 'Fetch the contents of any file' explicitly indicates retrieval without modification. Verbs 'fetch' and 'read' align with Read category.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access fetch_file gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and pentestMCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for fetch_file:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"fetch_file": {}
}
}fetch_file is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Fetch the contents of any file. Useful for reading full logs, output files, or resources. It is categorised as a Read tool in the pentestMCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the pentest MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for fetch_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 pentestMCP. Nothing to install.
fetch_file 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 fetch_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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for fetch_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.
fetch_file is provided by the pentest MCP server (ramkansal/pentestmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 36 pentestMCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
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36 pentestMCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.