Download a file from the remote server via SFTP
AI agents call ssh_download_file 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.
This tool retrieves/queries data from a remote server without side effects on the server itself. However, severity is elevated to 'medium' rather than 'low' because downloaded files could contain sensitive data (credentials, private keys, source code, etc.), making the blast radius of misuse moderate—an AI agent could exfiltrate confidential information.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'ssh_download_file' and description 'Download a file from the remote server via SFTP' indicate data retrieval with no modification or deletion of the remote file.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Download a file from the remote server 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_download_file: 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_download_file 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_download_file 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_download_file. 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_download_file is provided by the SSH MCP Server MCP server (zibdie/ssh-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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