A Model Context Protocol (MCP) tool can perform benign tasks like “validating email addresses,” but if compromised, it might exfiltrate sensitive data, such as your address book. Traditional security scanners are ineffective in identifying semantic mismatches between a tool’s claims and its actual behavior. The innovative behavioral code scanning combines rigorous static application security testing (SAST) with AI to address this gap. By employing interprocedural dataflow analysis, the MCP Scanner identifies hidden operations, data exfiltration, injection attacks, and privilege abuse that traditional tools miss. It rigorously compares a tool’s documentation against its functioning, flagging any discrepancies. This capability is crucial for enterprises deploying AI agents, as it enhances security against misleading descriptions and escalating risks associated with tool adoption. Behavioral code scanning offers seamless integration into existing workflows, providing actionable insights to strengthen defense mechanisms. For more information, visit cisco.com/ai-defense to learn about Cisco’s comprehensive AI security solutions.
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