Several specialized tools are available to help secure your MCP applications. This page provides an overview of the most popular security tools and compares their features.

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Available Security Tools

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MCP-Scan

MCP-Scan is a security scanning tool that inspects your MCP servers for common vulnerabilities like prompt injections, tool poisoning, and cross-origin escalations.

Key Features:

  • Scans Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and other file-based MCP client configurations
  • Detects prompt injection attacks in tool descriptions
  • Identifies tool poisoning vulnerabilities using Invariant Guardrails
  • Detects cross-origin escalation attacks (tool shadowing)
  • Implements “Tool Pinning” to prevent MCP rug pull attacks

Usage:

# Quick scan
uvx mcp-scan@latest

# Inspect tool descriptions
uvx mcp-scan@latest inspect

# Whitelist specific tools
uvx mcp-scan@latest whitelist NAME HASH

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MCPScan.ai

MCPScan.ai is a dedicated web-based security scanning service for MCP servers. It’s a completely separate tool from MCP-Scan with its own feature set.

Key Features:

  • Web-based vulnerability scanning for MCP servers
  • Submit GitHub repository URLs for scanning
  • Detailed reports on security issues
  • Comprehensive knowledge base with vulnerability taxonomies
  • Remediation guidance for identified vulnerabilities
  • Continuous monitoring options for enterprise users

Access: Available via the MCPScan.ai website

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Semgrep MCP

Semgrep MCP is a server that integrates Semgrep’s powerful static analysis capabilities with MCP, allowing you to scan code for security vulnerabilities directly through MCP tools.

Key Features:

  • Scans code for security vulnerabilities, bugs, and code quality issues
  • Uses Semgrep’s extensive rule sets and pattern matching
  • Integrates with various MCP clients (VSCode, Cursor, Claude Desktop, etc.)
  • Provides detailed scan results and remediation guidance

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Invariant Guardrails

Invariant Guardrails provides a layer of protection against prompt injection and other attacks on LLM-based applications, including MCPs.

Key Features:

  • Defends against prompt injection attacks
  • Provides real-time monitoring and detection
  • Offers policy-based controls for LLM interactions
  • Integrates with existing security workflows

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Security Tools Comparison

FeatureMCP-ScanMCPScan.aiSemgrep MCPInvariant Guardrails
ProviderInvariant Labsmcpscan.aiSemgrepInvariant Labs
Primary FocusCLI-based MCP server security scanningWeb-based MCP vulnerability scanningCode vulnerability scanningLLM interaction security
Installation/Accessuvx mcp-scan@latestWeb serviceuvx semgrep-mcpAPI integration
Detects Prompt Injection✅✅❌✅
Detects Tool Poisoning✅✅❌✅
Code Vulnerability Scanning❌✅✅❌
Tool Description Inspection✅✅❌❌
Cross-Origin Protection✅✅❌✅
Continuous Monitoring❌✅ (Enterprise)❌✅
Knowledge Base❌✅❌❌
LicenseApache-2.0CommercialMITCommercial

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Implementation Best Practices

Security Recommendation
Use multiple security tools in combination for comprehensive protection. Choose MCP-Scan (CLI tool) or MCPScan.ai (web service) for MCP vulnerability scanning, Semgrep for code vulnerability detection, and Invariant Guardrails for runtime protection against attacks.

For optimal implementation of these security tools:

  1. Regular Scanning: Run MCP-Scan CLI tool or use the MCPScan.ai web service regularly to detect new vulnerabilities
  2. Code Review: Use Semgrep MCP during development to catch security issues early
  3. Runtime Protection: Implement Invariant Guardrails for active protection against prompt injection
  4. Keep Updated: Follow security updates for all MCP tools and libraries
  5. Whitelist Tools: Use MCP-Scan’s whitelist feature to authorize verified tools
  6. Continuous Monitoring: For production environments, consider MCPScan.ai’s enterprise monitoring option