MCP Inspector - Automated Security Scanning

Status: Coming Soon (Q4 2025)

MCP Inspector is an automated security scanning tool designed to streamline the auditing process for Model Context Protocol servers. It will integrate directly with our community audit database to provide real-time security assessments and vulnerability detection.

Planned Features

Automated Code Analysis

  • Static Analysis: Comprehensive code security scanning using multiple engines
  • Dependency Scanning: Automated vulnerability detection in dependencies
  • Configuration Review: Security configuration assessment and hardening recommendations
  • Supply Chain Analysis: Repository integrity and maintainer verification

Runtime Security Testing

  • Container Analysis: Docker image security scanning and configuration review
  • Network Testing: API endpoint security testing and traffic analysis
  • Privilege Analysis: Permission and access control verification
  • Resource Monitoring: Runtime behavior analysis and anomaly detection

Integration with Audit Database

  • Automated Reporting: Direct submission of scan results to the audit database
  • Historical Tracking: Trend analysis and security posture monitoring
  • Community Sharing: Anonymized security metrics and threat intelligence
  • Continuous Monitoring: Scheduled rescans and alert notifications

Technical Architecture

Core Components

  • Scanner Engine: Multi-language static analysis and security testing
  • Database Connector: Seamless integration with audit and vulnerability databases
  • Reporting Framework: Standardized security report generation
  • API Gateway: RESTful API for programmatic access and CI/CD integration

Deployment Options

  • CLI Tool: Command-line interface for local and CI/CD environments
  • Web Interface: Browser-based scanning and report visualization
  • GitHub Action: Automated scanning for pull requests and releases
  • Docker Container: Containerized deployment for isolated scanning

Development Roadmap

Phase 1: Core Scanner (Q3 2025)

  • Basic static analysis capabilities
  • Dependency vulnerability scanning
  • Initial audit database integration
  • CLI tool development

Phase 2: Advanced Features (Q4 2025)

  • Runtime security testing
  • Container and Docker analysis
  • Web interface and dashboards
  • Community feedback integration

Phase 3: Enterprise Features (Q1 2026)

  • API access and programmatic integration
  • Custom rule development framework
  • Advanced reporting and analytics
  • Enterprise support and SLA options

Early Access Program

We’re planning an early access program for MCP Inspector:

How to Join

  1. Express Interest: Contact us at wg-mcp-security@cloudsecurityalliance.org
  2. Provide Use Cases: Describe your MCP security auditing needs
  3. Beta Testing: Participate in testing and provide feedback
  4. Community Contribution: Help improve the tool and methodology

Benefits

  • Early Access: Get the tool before general release
  • Influence Development: Shape features and capabilities
  • Priority Support: Direct access to the development team
  • Community Recognition: Acknowledgment as a founding contributor

Contributing to Development

Code Contributions

  • GitHub Repository: [Coming Soon] - Open source development
  • Architecture Input: Help design the scanning framework
  • Rule Development: Create custom security rules and checks
  • Testing: Contribute test cases and validation datasets

Documentation and Training

  • User Guides: Help create comprehensive documentation
  • Best Practices: Share expertise on MCP security auditing
  • Training Materials: Develop educational content and workshops
  • Community Support: Assist other users and answer questions

Alternative Tools

While MCP Inspector is in development, consider these existing tools:

Static Analysis

  • Semgrep: Open source static analysis with custom rules
  • CodeQL: GitHub’s semantic code analysis platform
  • ESLint Security: JavaScript security linting rules

Dependency Scanning

  • npm audit: Built-in Node.js dependency vulnerability scanner
  • Snyk: Commercial dependency and container scanning
  • OWASP Dependency-Check: Open source dependency vulnerability scanner

Container Security

  • Docker Scout: Docker’s integrated security scanning
  • Trivy: Open source container vulnerability scanner
  • Clair: Container vulnerability analysis service

Stay Updated

  • Newsletter: Subscribe to our security updates
  • GitHub: Watch our repositories for development progress
  • Community: Join our Slack channel for real-time updates
  • Events: Attend our workshops and working group meetings

MCP Inspector will be open source and free to use, with optional commercial support and enterprise features available.