Copy files to or from a remote host using SFTP (SCP-like)
AI agents use scp to create or update resources in IT Tools MCP Server — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your IT Tools MCP Server environment.
This tool performs file transfer operations that can create or modify files on remote hosts, making it a Write operation. Severity is high because an AI agent misusing this tool could exfiltrate sensitive data (to remote host) or corrupt/replace critical files on remote systems, with blast radius limited by network access and file permissions.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Copy files to or from a remote host' - this creates or modifies data on remote systems.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access scp gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and IT Tools MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for scp:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"scp": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "scp_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}scp 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.
Free to start. No card required.
Copy files to or from a remote host using SFTP (SCP-like). It is categorised as a Write tool in the IT Tools MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the IT Tools MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for scp: 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 IT Tools MCP Server. Nothing to install.
scp is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the scp 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 scp. 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.
scp is provided by the IT Tools MCP Server MCP server (wrenchpilot/it-tools-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from IT Tools MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
119 IT Tools MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.