Resolves a host alias from ~/.ssh/config to connection parameters
AI agents call ssh_resolve_host to retrieve information from Mcp Ssh Tool without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool reads and parses the SSH config file to look up connection parameters for a given host alias. It performs no modifications, executes no commands, and has no side effects — it is purely a read/lookup operation.
From the tool's definition Resolves a host alias from ~/.ssh/config to connection parameters
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Resolves a host alias from ~/.ssh/config to connection parameters. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Ssh Tool MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Ssh Tool MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh_resolve_host: 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.
ssh_resolve_host 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 ssh_resolve_host 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 ssh_resolve_host. 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.
ssh_resolve_host 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.
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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