AI agents call list_pcaps to retrieve information from SharkMCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only retrieves and displays information about already-loaded PCAP files and their status. It has no side effects, does not modify data, execute code, delete files, or move money. It is a straightforward read operation analogous to 'list' or 'get' actions.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_pcaps' and description 'List every loaded PCAP with its current sharkd status' indicates a retrieval operation that queries the state of loaded packet capture files without modification.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_pcaps gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and SharkMCP, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_pcaps:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"list_pcaps": {}
}
}list_pcaps is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List every loaded PCAP with its current sharkd status. It is categorised as a Read tool in the SharkMCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Shark MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_pcaps: 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 SharkMCP. Nothing to install.
list_pcaps 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_pcaps 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_pcaps. 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_pcaps is provided by the Shark MCP server (weirdmachine64/sharkmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 30 SharkMCP tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
30 SharkMCP tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 42,500+ MCP servers.