List all configured SSH connections. Returns the name, host, port, and username for each connection. Connections are configured via the SSH_CONNECTIONS environment variable. Example usage: Before running commands, list connections to see what
AI agents call list_connections to retrieve information from SSH MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Even though list_connections only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs — an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all configured SSH connections. Returns the name, host, port, and username for each connection. Connections are configured via the SSH_CONNECTIONS environment variable. Example usage: Before running commands, list connections to see what. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SSH MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the SSH MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_connections: 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 SSH MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_connections 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 list_connections 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 list_connections. 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.
list_connections is provided by the SSH MCP Server MCP server (termau/ssh-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.