FRENES

Security · MCP server

Wireshark MCP: MCP server, setup and security

Wireshark MCP is an open-source MCP server that lets an AI agent capture packets and analyze protocols and security with Wireshark. Its repository has 353 stars and its last commit is from October 24, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.

Score
75/100
Adoption (stars) 25/40
Maintenance 30/30
Framework (licence, registry, official) 20/30
Actively maintained

What Wireshark MCP does

According to its repository: “Wireshark packet analysis: capture, protocol statistics, field extraction and security analysis.”

An MCP server gives an AI agent extra tools it calls during the conversation: the agent reads their description, decides to use them and gets the result back. Wireshark MCP is listed under Security, a category of 133 servers in the directory, where it ranks #14 by stars.

Topics declared by the repository: tshark, wireshark, ai-agents, network-security, packet-analysis, pcap.

Installing and connecting Wireshark MCP

Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:

  • PyPI package (Python, started with uvx or pip)

Like any MCP server, you declare it in your client's configuration (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex…): a name, the command that starts it or its URL, and any environment variables. The client then starts it and lists its tools. Project language: Python.

Security: what to check

An MCP server runs code with the rights you give it, and the model reads its tool descriptions: a malicious or compromised server can hijack the agent. Read the code, or pick a maintained and widely used server, before connecting it.

None of the risk signals we track (system access, secrets, missing licence, abandonment) applies to Wireshark MCP. That does not replace reading the code.

Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.

Project activity and maintenance

Created on February 7, 2026, the bx33661/Wireshark-MCP repository has 353 stars and 43 forks, with 1 open issues. It has more stars than 85% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.6.5 (March 16, 2026).

Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.

World MonitorWorld Monitor : 89.4K89.4KSemgrepSemgrep : 17.2K17.2KIda pro MCPIda pro MCP : 13.1K13.1KGhidraMCP (LaurieWired)GhidraMCP (LaurieWired) : 11.5K11.5KRobin: AI Powered Dark Web ORobin: AI Powered Dark Web O : 7.7K7.7KJadx ai MCPJadx ai MCP : 2.9K2.9KPower BI Authoring MCP ServePower BI Authoring MCP Serve : 1.2K1.2KSafeDep Vet MCPSafeDep Vet MCP : 1.1K1.1KWireshark MCPWireshark MCP : 353353
GitHub stars of the most followed servers in the category (log scale); Wireshark MCP in orange. Checked October 25, 2026.

Verdict

Wireshark MCP is one of the most solid servers in its category: followed, maintained and well framed.

Strengths

  • Active project: recent commit
  • Widely followed: 353 stars
  • Listed in the official MCP registry
  • Permissive licence (MIT)

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Wireshark MCP?

Wireshark MCP is distributed as PyPI package (Python, started with uvx or pip). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of bx33661/Wireshark-MCP.

Is Wireshark MCP free?

The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge.

Is Wireshark MCP safe?

No risk signal found (system access, secrets, licence, abandonment). As with any MCP server, keep rights minimal and read the code before sensitive use.

Is it an official server?

Nothing says so: it is a project published by bx33661 on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.

What are the alternatives to Wireshark MCP?

In the same category: Semgrep, World Monitor, SafeDep Vet MCP, and Ida pro MCP. Semgrep and World Monitor score higher on our grid.

Related articles

Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score