MCP Top 10 Security Risks

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) ecosystem introduces unique security challenges that span both server and client implementations. To help organizations understand and address these risks, we’ve developed comprehensive Top 10 lists that cover the most critical security concerns in MCP deployments.

Understanding MCP Security Risks

MCP security risks can be broadly categorized into two main areas:

Server-Side Risks

Focus on backend systems, API security, infrastructure hardening, and service provision. These risks affect the core functionality and data processing capabilities of MCP servers.

Client-Side Risks

Center on user interaction, local data protection, trust relationships, and the unique challenges of securing AI-integrated applications that connect to MCP servers.

The Top 10 Lists

🖥️ MCP Server Top 10 Security Risks
The most critical security risks in MCP server implementations, from prompt injection and tool poisoning to credential exposure and insecure configurations. Essential for backend developers and infrastructure teams.
Review Server Risks →
💻 MCP Client Top 10 Security Risks
Critical security concerns for MCP client applications, focusing on user interaction, local data protection, and trust relationships. Essential for application developers and end users.
Review Client Risks →

Key Differences Between Server and Client Risks

Server Risks Focus On:

  • Service provision and backend API security
  • Infrastructure security and system hardening
  • Multi-tenancy and isolation between users
  • Protocol implementation and specification compliance
  • Backend system integration and data processing

Client Risks Focus On:

  • User interaction and deception through interfaces
  • Local data protection and storage security
  • Trust relationships with remote servers
  • UI/UX security implications and user awareness
  • Client-side execution environments and local attacks

Risk Assessment Framework

Risk Prioritization

Each risk in our Top 10 lists is prioritized based on:

  • Likelihood - How likely the risk is to occur in typical deployments
  • Impact - The potential damage if the risk is exploited
  • Prevalence - How common the vulnerability is across MCP implementations
  • Detectability - How easy it is to identify and monitor for the risk

Risk Categories

  • Authentication & Authorization - Identity and access control issues
  • Data Protection - Information disclosure and privacy concerns
  • Injection Attacks - Code execution and manipulation vulnerabilities
  • Configuration Security - Deployment and setup vulnerabilities
  • Communication Security - Transport and protocol security issues

Using These Lists

For Security Teams

  1. Risk Assessment - Use both lists to evaluate your complete MCP deployment
  2. Control Implementation - Prioritize security controls based on your specific environment
  3. Monitoring Strategy - Develop detection and monitoring approaches for high-priority risks
  4. Incident Response - Prepare response procedures for the most critical scenarios

For Development Teams

  1. Secure Development - Build security into MCP applications from the start
  2. Code Review - Use the lists as checklists during security code reviews
  3. Testing Strategy - Develop test cases that validate security controls
  4. Documentation - Document security implementations and decisions

for Operations Teams

  1. Deployment Security - Ensure secure deployment configurations
  2. Monitoring Implementation - Set up monitoring for critical security events
  3. Maintenance Procedures - Develop regular security maintenance tasks
  4. Training Programs - Educate teams on MCP-specific security concerns

Contributing to the Top 10 Lists

How to Contribute

  • GitHub Discussions - Share experiences and propose improvements
  • Real-world Examples - Contribute examples of risks and mitigations from your deployments
  • New Risk Categories - Propose additional risks based on emerging threats
  • Validation - Help validate and improve existing risk descriptions

Community Feedback

We regularly update these lists based on:

  • Community input from MCP security practitioners
  • Emerging threats and new attack vectors
  • Technology evolution and MCP specification changes
  • Field experience from production deployments

Security Implementation

Community Resources

These Top 10 lists represent the collective knowledge of the MCP security community. They are living documents that evolve based on real-world experience, emerging threats, and community feedback.

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