AI agents call ssh_keyscan 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.
ssh-keyscan is a reconnaissance tool that reads/queries SSH public keys from hosts. It has no side effects on target systems and does not execute arbitrary commands, modify data, or delete resources. However, it can facilitate reconnaissance for subsequent attacks, warranting medium severity. The empty description lowers confidence somewhat, but the name is strongly indicative of standard SSH key gathering behavior.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'ssh_keyscan' with empty description. Based on the standard ssh-keyscan utility, this tool retrieves SSH host public keys from remote servers without executing commands or modifying data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
ssh_keyscan. 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_keyscan: 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_keyscan 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_keyscan 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_keyscan. 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_keyscan 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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