List files in a directory on a remote host via SFTP.
AI agents call ssh_ls 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 ssh_ls 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 files in a directory on a remote host via SFTP. 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 ssh_ls: 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.
ssh_ls 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 ssh_ls 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 ssh_ls. 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.
ssh_ls is provided by the SSH MCP Server MCP server (yawlabs/ssh-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.