High Risk →

run_subfinder

Run Subfinder against the given URL with the provided arguments.

How to control run_subfinder ↓

AI agents invoke run_subfinder to trigger actions in pentestMCP. 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.

High Risk

This tool executes Subfinder, a reconnaissance tool that performs subdomain discovery by querying external data sources and APIs. While not destructive or creating data, it actively triggers external operations that perform automated reconnaissance scanning.

From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Run Subfinder against the given URL with the provided arguments.' The verb 'Run' combined with the nature of Subfinder (a subdomain enumeration tool) indicates execution of an external security scanning utility whose effects depend on…

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access run_subfinder 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 run_subfinder:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "run_subfinder": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run_subfinder_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

run_subfinder 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.

  1. Create a free account and register pentestMCP — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

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Go deeper

What does the run_subfinder tool do? +

Run Subfinder against the given URL with the provided arguments. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the pentestMCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on run_subfinder? +

Register the pentest MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run_subfinder: 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.

What risk level is run_subfinder? +

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

Can I rate-limit run_subfinder? +

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

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

run_subfinder 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.

Enforce policy on every pentestMCP tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 36 pentestMCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

Free to start. No card required.

36 pentestMCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

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