Medium Risk

snapshot_host

Create a snapshot of a host. Args: vm_name: Name of the VM to snapshot name: Name of the snapshot description: Optional snapshot description user_id: Optional user ID (admin only) Returns: Snapshot creation result

How to control snapshot_host ↓

AI agents use snapshot_host to create or update resources in Ludus FastMCP — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Ludus FastMCP environment.

Medium Risk

Creating a snapshot is a reversible write operation — it captures the current state of a VM and stores it, but does not delete or overwrite existing data. Snapshots can be removed later, making this non-destructive. Misuse could consume significant storage but has limited blast radius.

From the tool's definition Create a snapshot of a host

Risk signalsAdmin/system-level operation

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access snapshot_host gives an agent:

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Ludus FastMCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for snapshot_host:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "snapshot_host": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "snapshot_host_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

snapshot_host stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

  1. Create a free account and register Ludus FastMCP — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

Go deeper

What does the snapshot_host tool do? +

Create a snapshot of a host. Args: vm_name: Name of the VM to snapshot name: Name of the snapshot description: Optional snapshot description user_id: Optional user ID (admin only) Returns: Snapshot creation result. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Ludus FastMCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on snapshot_host? +

Register the Ludus Fast MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for snapshot_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 Ludus FastMCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is snapshot_host? +

snapshot_host is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit snapshot_host? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the snapshot_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.

How do I block snapshot_host completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for snapshot_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.

What MCP server provides snapshot_host? +

snapshot_host is provided by the Ludus Fast MCP server (tjnull/ludus-fastmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Ludus FastMCP tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 201 Ludus FastMCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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201 Ludus FastMCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.

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