Reads the last N lines of a specific file inside the VM (e.g., /var/log/syslog, /var/log/nginx/error.log). Essential for debugging service failures.
AI agents call tail_vm_log to retrieve information from Virtualbox MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs read-only access to log files for diagnostic purposes. It queries existing data without side effects, making it a straightforward Read category tool. The blast radius is minimal as it cannot modify, execute, or delete anything - it merely retrieves log content for inspection during debugging.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Reads the last N lines of a specific file inside the VM" - a passive data retrieval operation with no modification, deletion, or execution capabilities.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Reads the last N lines of a specific file inside the VM (e.g., /var/log/syslog, /var/log/nginx/error.log). Essential for debugging service failures. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Virtualbox MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Virtualbox MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for tail_vm_log: 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 Virtualbox MCP Server. Nothing to install.
tail_vm_log 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 tail_vm_log 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 tail_vm_log. 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.
tail_vm_log is provided by the Virtualbox MCP Server MCP server (usemanusai/virtualbox-mcp-server). 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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