Apply a display filter to a pcap file and return matching packets. Useful for extracting specific traffic.
AI agents call tshark_filter to retrieve information from Wireshark MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool reads and queries packet data from an existing pcap file using display filters, which is a retrieval operation with no side effects on the data itself. However, severity is medium rather than low because the network traffic being analyzed could contain sensitive information (credentials, personal data, etc.), and an AI agent with access to this tool could extract private communications or confidential…
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Apply a display filter to a pcap file and return matching packets.' This is a query/filtering operation that retrieves and displays data without modification. The verb 'return' indicates data extraction, not creation or deletion.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Apply a display filter to a pcap file and return matching packets. Useful for extracting specific traffic. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Wireshark MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Wireshark MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for tshark_filter: 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 Wireshark MCP Server. Nothing to install.
tshark_filter 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 tshark_filter 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 tshark_filter. 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.
tshark_filter is provided by the Wireshark MCP Server MCP server (schwarztim/sec-wireshark-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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