AI agents call ssh_download to retrieve information from Mcpx without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Downloads retrieve data without permanent modification. However, severity is elevated to 'medium' rather than 'low' because SSH file transfers can exfiltrate sensitive data at scale, and the tool operates in a privileged context (shell mastery server). The missing description reduces confidence slightly.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'ssh_download' indicates downloading/retrieving data from remote systems via SSH. The server description emphasizes 'file transfer' as a core capability. The empty description is uninformative but the naming strongly suggests data retrieval.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
ssh_download. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcpx MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcpx 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 Mcpx. 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 Mcpx MCP server (rmednitzer/relay-shell). 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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