List all running processes
AI agents call list_processes to retrieve information from Windows MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves process information from the Windows system without side effects or data modification. However, the severity is elevated to 'medium' rather than 'low' because process enumeration can expose sensitive information (running applications, services, credentials in process names) that an adversary could exploit for reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or targeted attacks.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_processes' and description states 'List all running processes' — a query operation that retrieves system state without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all running processes. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Windows MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Windows MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_processes: 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 Windows MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_processes 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 list_processes 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 list_processes. 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.
list_processes is provided by the Windows MCP Server MCP server (romeo2badboy-rgb/windows-mcp). 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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