Extract files from a compressed archive (.zip, .7z, .rar). Automatically tries common malware passwords if the archive is password-protected. Returns list of extracted files.
AI agents invoke extract_archive to trigger actions in REMnux MCP Server. 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.
This tool executes an extraction operation that unpacks potentially malicious archive contents onto the filesystem. It also actively attempts to bypass password protection using known malware passwords, which could unpack malware payloads.
From the tool's definition 'Extract files from a compressed archive' and 'Automatically tries common malware passwords if the archive is password-protected'
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access extract_archive gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and REMnux MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for extract_archive:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"extract_archive": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "extract_archive_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 10,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}extract_archive 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.
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Extract files from a compressed archive (.zip, .7z, .rar). Automatically tries common malware passwords if the archive is password-protected. Returns list of extracted files. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the REMnux MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the REMnux MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for extract_archive: 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 REMnux MCP Server. Nothing to install.
extract_archive is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the extract_archive 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 extract_archive. 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.
extract_archive is provided by the REMnux MCP Server MCP server (remnux/remnux-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 14 REMnux MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
14 REMnux MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.