obs-start-virtual-cam

THE RISK

High Risk

This tool invokes an operation that starts a virtual camera device—a stateful external system interaction. While not destructive or financial, it is Execute category because it performs an action with real-world side effects (enabling video output) rather than merely retrieving data.

From the tool's definition 'Starts the virtualcam output' indicates the tool triggers an external operation (virtualcam) whose effects depend on system state and OBS configuration. The tool executes a command that initiates a hardware/software resource.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access obs-start-virtual-cam gives an agent:

HOW TO CONTROL OBS-START-VIRTUAL-CAM

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and OBS MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for obs-start-virtual-cam:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "obs-start-virtual-cam": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "obs-start-virtual-cam_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

obs-start-virtual-cam 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.

Create a free account and register OBS MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

More OBS MCP Server tools

Destructive obs-remove-input Removes an existing input Destructive obs-remove-profile Removes a profile. If the current profile is chosen, it will change to a different profile Destructive obs-remove-scene Remove a scene from OBS Destructive obs-remove-scene-item Remove a scene item from a scene Destructive obs-remove-source-filter Removes a filter from a source Destructive remove_scene Removes a scene from OBS. Args: scene_name: Name of the scene to remove Destructive remove_scene_item Removes a scene item from a scene. Args: scene_name: Name of the scene th Execute obs-start-output Starts an output

All 200 OBS MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in OBS MCP Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

What does the obs-start-virtual-cam tool do? +

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

How do I enforce a policy on obs-start-virtual-cam? +

Register the OBS MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for obs-start-virtual-cam: 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 OBS MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is obs-start-virtual-cam? +

obs-start-virtual-cam is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit obs-start-virtual-cam? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the obs-start-virtual-cam 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 obs-start-virtual-cam completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for obs-start-virtual-cam. 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 obs-start-virtual-cam? +

obs-start-virtual-cam is provided by the OBS MCP Server MCP server (royshil/obs-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every OBS MCP Server tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 200 OBS MCP Server tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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200 OBS MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

// WHAT OBS-START-VIRTUAL-CAM ON OBS MCP SERVER DOES

// THE RISK

// HOW TO CONTROL OBS-START-VIRTUAL-CAM

// EXPLORE