ensure_package · Mcp Ssh Tool MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What ensure_package does on Mcp Ssh Tool

AI agents invoke ensure_package to trigger actions in Mcp Ssh Tool. 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 ensure_package needs a policy

Installing or removing packages modifies system state by invoking package managers (apt, yum, etc.) on a remote host. This constitutes executing system-level operations with potentially broad side effects. Removal can be partially destructive, but installation is the primary concern; the most severe applicable category for arbitrary package management on a remote system is Execute.

From the tool's definition "Ensures a package is installed or removed" — installs or removes system packages on a remote SSH host

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

ensure_package Rate-limited

ensure_package 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": {
    "ensure_package": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ensure_package_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 Mcp Ssh Tool, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about ensure_package

What does the ensure_package tool do? +

Ensures a package is installed or removed. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Mcp Ssh Tool MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on ensure_package? +

Register the Mcp Ssh Tool MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ensure_package: 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 Tool. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ensure_package? +

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

Can I rate-limit ensure_package? +

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

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

ensure_package is provided by the Mcp Ssh Tool MCP server (skot/mcp-ssh-tool). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

// THE FULL RECORD

ensure_package is one line of Mcp Ssh Tool's registry record.

The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.

Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →