Definition
MCP (Model Context Protocol)
An open standard protocol, published by Anthropic, that allows AI agents to connect to external services, data sources, and tools through a common interface. MCP defines how agents discover available tools, call them, and process their responses. Because MCP servers run with process-level permissions and can respond to agent tool calls, they are a significant security surface — BlueRock Security found 36.7% of audited MCP servers vulnerable to SSRF attacks.
Related terms
Deep dive
Basic knowledgeWhat is MCP server security?
MCP servers extend what AI agents can do. That is also what makes them a security boundary. Understanding the threat surface is essential before you connect one to a model with real capabilities.
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