shutdown_vm · Proxmox MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What shutdown_vm does on Proxmox MCP Server

AI agents invoke shutdown_vm to trigger actions in Proxmox MCP Server. 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.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why shutdown_vm needs a policy

Shutting down a VM triggers an external operation with significant impact — stopping all running workloads on that VM. While not irreversible (the VM can be restarted), it disrupts services and is more than a write operation. It falls under Execute as it triggers an external system operation (ACPI shutdown signal) whose effects depend on the target VM argument.

From the tool's definition Gracefully shutdown a virtual machine (ACPI shutdown)

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

shutdown_vm Rate-limited

shutdown_vm 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.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "shutdown_vm": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "shutdown_vm_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Proxmox MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about shutdown_vm

What does the shutdown_vm tool do? +

Gracefully shutdown a virtual machine (ACPI shutdown). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Proxmox 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 shutdown_vm? +

Register the Proxmox MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for shutdown_vm: 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 Proxmox MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is shutdown_vm? +

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

Can I rate-limit shutdown_vm? +

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

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

shutdown_vm is provided by the Proxmox MCP Server MCP server (ry-ops/proxmox-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.