List files downloaded from agents
AI agents call empire_downloads to retrieve information from PowerShell Empire 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 historical data about files downloaded from compromised agents in a post-exploitation framework (Empire). While it performs only a read/list operation, the severity is high because the data it exposes (downloaded files from agents) is sensitive security information that could reveal the scope and nature of a breach, including exfiltrated credentials, configurations, or intellectual property.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'empire_downloads' and description states 'List files downloaded from agents' — a query operation with no modification or deletion.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List files downloaded from agents. It is categorised as a Read tool in the PowerShell Empire MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the PowerShell Empire MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for empire_downloads: 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 PowerShell Empire MCP Server. Nothing to install.
empire_downloads 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 empire_downloads 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 empire_downloads. 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.
empire_downloads is provided by the PowerShell Empire MCP Server MCP server (schwarztim/sec-powershell-empire-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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