kali_download
Download file content from the Kali server as base64.
This record as markdown: /tools/zebbern-zebbern-kali-mcp/kali-download.md
What kali_download does on Zebbern Kali MCP
AI agents call kali_download to retrieve information from Zebbern Kali MCP without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why kali_download is rated Low
The tool retrieves file content in encoded form, which is fundamentally a read operation. While the Kali server context implies the tool is part of a penetration testing toolkit with elevated privileges, the specific action described—downloading/retrieving file content—produces no side effects on the target system.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'kali_download' and description 'Download file content from the Kali server as base64' indicate retrieval of data without modification or deletion.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs kali_download safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Zebbern Kali MCP, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For kali_download, this is the rule to start with:
kali_download is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Zebbern Kali MCP, apply this rule, and every kali_download call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about kali_download
Download file content from the Kali server as base64. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Zebbern Kali MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Zebbern Kali MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for kali_download: 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 Zebbern Kali MCP. Nothing to install.
kali_download 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 kali_download 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 kali_download. 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.
kali_download is provided by the Zebbern Kali MCP server (zebbern/zebbern-kali-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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