send_command

THE RISK

High Risk

Why send_command needs a policy

Although the description claims 'read-only' and 'validated', the tool actively executes commands on live network devices via Nornir/NAPALM. The actual effect depends on the commands sent, and 'validated' is a soft control. Sending commands to network devices is an Execute-category action with high severity due to the blast radius of misuse against live network infrastructure.

From the tool's definition 'Send a validated read-only command or list of commands to the device' — the tool sends commands to network devices, triggering external operations on live infrastructure

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

POLICY

How to control send_command

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "send_command": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "send_command_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

send_command stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Nornir MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Nornir MCP Server tools

Execute traceroute Execute the traceroute command from the device to the specified destination. Read get_arp_table Get the device's ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table. Read get_bgp_config Retrieve BGP configuration from the device. Read get_bgp_neighbors Get a summary of BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) neighbors. Read get_bgp_neighbors_detail Obtain a detailed view of all BGP neighbors. Read get_config Use NAPALM to retrieve device configurations (running, startup, or candidate). Read get_facts Retrieve high-level facts and information about the device (e.g., vendor, model, serial nu Read get_interfaces Get a list of all network interfaces on the device.

All 26 Nornir MCP Server tools →

Execute tools on other servers

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in Nornir MCP Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about send_command

What does the send_command tool do? +

Send a validated read-only command or list of commands to the device. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Nornir MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on send_command? +

Register the Nornir MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for send_command: 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 Nornir MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is send_command? +

send_command is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit send_command? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the send_command 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 send_command completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for send_command. 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 send_command? +

send_command is provided by the Nornir MCP Server MCP server (yhvh-chen/nornir_mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Nornir MCP Server tool call.

Start from Nornir MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →