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path_traversal_check

path_traversal_check

How to control path_traversal_check ↓

What path_traversal_check does on CyberMCP

AI agents invoke path_traversal_check to trigger actions in CyberMCP. 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.

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Why path_traversal_check needs a policy

Path traversal checks involve actively probing a target system by sending crafted requests with traversal sequences (e.g., '../') to detect directory traversal vulnerabilities. This constitutes executing external operations against a target.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'path_traversal_check' on a security testing server (CyberMCP) described as testing backend APIs for security vulnerabilities. Sibling tools include injection attack checks and auth bypass checks.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access path_traversal_check gives an agent:

How to control path_traversal_check

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and CyberMCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for path_traversal_check:

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

path_traversal_check 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 CyberMCP — 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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Related tools and policies

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Questions about path_traversal_check

What does the path_traversal_check tool do? +

path_traversal_check. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the CyberMCP MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on path_traversal_check? +

Register the Cyber MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for path_traversal_check: 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 CyberMCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is path_traversal_check? +

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

Can I rate-limit path_traversal_check? +

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

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

path_traversal_check is provided by the Cyber MCP server (ricauts/cybermcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every CyberMCP tool call.

Start from CyberMCP, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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