ssh_list_hosts

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why ssh_list_hosts needs a policy

This tool performs a simple enumeration of configured hosts—a read-only operation with no side effects, state changes, or capability to execute commands. Even in the context of an SSH orchestrator, listing hosts is informational only.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'ssh_list_hosts' and description 'List configured hosts' indicate a query operation that retrieves information about available hosts without modification or execution.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access ssh_list_hosts gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control ssh_list_hosts

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP SSH Orchestrator, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for ssh_list_hosts:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ssh_list_hosts": {}
  }
}

ssh_list_hosts is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

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

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More MCP SSH Orchestrator tools

Execute ssh_cancel Request cancellation for a running task. Execute ssh_cancel_async_task Cancel a running async task. Execute ssh_run Execute SSH command with policy, network checks, progress, timeout, and cancellation. Execute ssh_run_async Start SSH command asynchronously (SEP-1686 compliant). Execute ssh_run_on_tag Execute SSH command on all hosts with a tag (with network checks). Execute ssh_reload_config Reload configuration files. Read ssh_describe_host Return host definition in JSON. Read ssh_get_task_output Get recent output lines from running or completed task.

All 13 MCP SSH Orchestrator tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about ssh_list_hosts

What does the ssh_list_hosts tool do? +

List configured hosts. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP SSH Orchestrator MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on ssh_list_hosts? +

Register the MCP SSH Orchestrator MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh_list_hosts: 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 MCP SSH Orchestrator. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ssh_list_hosts? +

ssh_list_hosts is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit ssh_list_hosts? +

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

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

ssh_list_hosts is provided by the MCP SSH Orchestrator MCP server (samerfarida/mcp-ssh-orchestrator). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP SSH Orchestrator tool call.

Start from MCP SSH Orchestrator, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →