ghidra-mcp

Project Url: bethington/ghidra-mcp
Introduction: Production-grade Ghidra MCP Server — 132 endpoints, cross-binary documentation transfer, batch analysis, headless mode, and Docker deployment for AI-powered reverse engineering
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A production-ready Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that bridges Ghidra's powerful reverse engineering capabilities with modern AI tools and automation frameworks.

🌟 Features

Core MCP Integration

  • Full MCP Compatibility - Complete implementation of Model Context Protocol
  • 110 MCP Tools Available - Comprehensive API surface for binary analysis
  • Production-Ready Reliability - Tested batch operations and atomic transactions
  • Real-time Analysis - Live integration with Ghidra's analysis engine

Binary Analysis Capabilities

  • Function Analysis - Decompilation, call graphs, cross-references
  • Data Structure Discovery - Automatic struct/union/enum creation
  • String Extraction - Comprehensive string analysis and categorization
  • Import/Export Analysis - Symbol table and library dependency mapping
  • Memory Mapping - Complete memory layout documentation
  • Cross-Binary Documentation - Function hash matching across binary versions

Development & Automation

  • Automated Development Cycle - Complete build-test-deploy-verify pipeline
  • Ghidra Script Management - Create, run, and manage Ghidra scripts via MCP
  • Multi-Program Support - Switch between and compare multiple open programs
  • Batch Operations - Efficient bulk renaming, commenting, and typing

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

  • Java 21 LTS (OpenJDK recommended)
  • Apache Maven 3.9+
  • Ghidra 12.0.2 (or compatible version)
  • Python 3.8+ with pip

Installation

Recommended for Windows: use ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 as the primary entry point. It handles prerequisite setup + build + deployment in one command.

Important: -SetupDeps installs Maven/Ghidra JAR dependencies only. -Deploy is the end-user command and (by default) also ensures Python requirements before build/deploy.

  1. Clone the repository:

    git clone https://github.com/bethington/ghidra-mcp.git
cd ghidra-mcp

  2. Recommended: run environment preflight first:

    .\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Preflight -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

  3. Build and deploy to Ghidra (single command):

    .\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Deploy -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

  4. Optional strict/manual mode (advanced):

    # Skip automatic prerequisite setup
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Deploy -NoAutoPrereqs -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

  5. Show script help:

    .\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Help
# or
Get-Help .\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Detailed

  6. Optional build-only mode (advanced/troubleshooting):

    # Preferred: script-managed build-only
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -BuildOnly

    # Manual Maven build (requires Ghidra deps already installed in local .m2)
mvn clean package assembly:single -DskipTests

Basic Usage

Option 1: Stdio Transport (Recommended for AI tools)

python bridge_mcp_ghidra.py

Option 2: SSE Transport (Web/HTTP clients)

python bridge_mcp_ghidra.py --transport sse --mcp-host 127.0.0.1 --mcp-port 8081

In Ghidra

  1. Start Ghidra and open a CodeBrowser window
  2. In CodeBrowser, enable the plugin via File > Configure > Configure All Plugins > GhidraMCP
  3. Optional: configure custom port via CodeBrowser > Edit > Tool Options > GhidraMCP HTTP Server
  4. Start the server via Tools > GhidraMCP > Start MCP Server
  5. The server runs on http://127.0.0.1:8089/ by default

📊 Production Performance

  • MCP Tools: 110 tools fully implemented
  • Speed: Sub-second response for most operations
  • Efficiency: 93% reduction in API calls via batch operations
  • Reliability: Atomic transactions with all-or-nothing semantics
  • Deployment: Automated version-aware deployment script

🛠️ API Reference

Core Operations

  • check_connection - Verify MCP connectivity
  • get_metadata - Program metadata and info
  • get_version - Server version information
  • get_entry_points - Binary entry points discovery

Function Analysis

  • list_functions - List all functions (paginated)
  • search_functions_by_name - Search functions by name/pattern
  • search_functions_enhanced - Advanced function search with filters
  • decompile_function - Decompile function to C pseudocode
  • get_decompiled_code - Get decompiled code by address
  • get_function_callers - Get function callers
  • get_function_callees - Get function callees
  • get_function_call_graph - Function relationship graph
  • get_full_call_graph - Complete call graph for program
  • analyze_function_complete - Comprehensive function analysis
  • analyze_function_completeness - Documentation completeness score

Memory & Data

  • list_segments - Memory segments and layout
  • get_function_by_address - Function at address
  • disassemble_function - Disassembly listing
  • disassemble_bytes - Raw byte disassembly
  • get_xrefs_to - Cross-references to address
  • get_xrefs_from - Cross-references from address
  • get_bulk_xrefs - Bulk cross-reference lookup
  • analyze_data_region - Analyze memory region structure
  • inspect_memory_content - View raw memory content
  • detect_array_bounds - Detect array boundaries

Cross-Binary Documentation (v1.9.4+)

  • get_function_hash - SHA-256 hash of normalized function opcodes
  • get_bulk_function_hashes - Paginated bulk hashing with filter
  • get_function_documentation - Export complete function documentation
  • apply_function_documentation - Import documentation to target function
  • build_function_hash_index - Build persistent JSON index
  • lookup_function_by_hash - Find matching functions in index
  • propagate_documentation - Apply docs to all matching instances

Data Types & Structures

  • list_data_types - Available data types
  • search_data_types - Search for data types
  • create_struct - Create custom structure
  • add_struct_field - Add field to structure
  • modify_struct_field - Modify existing field
  • remove_struct_field - Remove field from structure
  • create_enum - Create enumeration
  • get_enum_values - Get enumeration values
  • create_array_type - Create array data type
  • apply_data_type - Apply type to address
  • delete_data_type - Delete a data type
  • consolidate_duplicate_types - Merge duplicate types
  • get_valid_data_types - Get list of valid Ghidra types

Symbols & Labels

  • list_imports - Imported symbols and libraries
  • list_exports - Exported symbols and functions
  • list_external_locations - External location references
  • list_strings - Extracted strings with analysis
  • list_namespaces - Available namespaces
  • list_globals - Global variables
  • create_label - Create label at address
  • batch_create_labels - Bulk label creation
  • delete_label - Delete label at address
  • batch_delete_labels - Bulk label deletion
  • rename_label - Rename existing label
  • rename_or_label - Rename or create label

Renaming & Documentation

  • rename_function - Rename function by name
  • rename_function_by_address - Rename function by address
  • rename_data - Rename data item
  • rename_variables - Rename function variables
  • rename_global_variable - Rename global variable
  • rename_external_location - Rename external reference
  • batch_rename_function_components - Bulk renaming
  • set_decompiler_comment - Set decompiler comment
  • set_disassembly_comment - Set disassembly comment
  • set_plate_comment - Set function plate comment
  • get_plate_comment - Get function plate comment
  • batch_set_comments - Bulk comment setting

Type System

  • set_function_prototype - Set function signature
  • set_local_variable_type - Set variable type
  • set_parameter_type - Set parameter type
  • batch_set_variable_types - Bulk type setting
  • set_variable_storage - Control variable storage location
  • set_function_no_return - Mark function as non-returning
  • list_calling_conventions - Available calling conventions
  • get_function_variables - Get all function variables
  • get_function_labels - Get labels in function

Ghidra Script Management

  • list_scripts - List available scripts
  • run_script - Run a script
  • list_ghidra_scripts - List custom Ghidra scripts
  • save_ghidra_script - Save new script
  • get_ghidra_script - Get script contents
  • run_ghidra_script - Execute Ghidra script
  • update_ghidra_script - Update existing script
  • delete_ghidra_script - Delete script

Multi-Program Support

  • list_open_programs - List all open programs
  • get_current_program_info - Current program details
  • switch_program - Switch active program
  • list_project_files - List project files
  • open_program - Open program from project
  • compare_programs_documentation - Compare documentation between programs

Analysis Tools

  • find_next_undefined_function - Find undefined functions
  • find_undocumented_by_string - Find functions by string reference
  • batch_string_anchor_report - String anchor analysis
  • search_byte_patterns - Search for byte patterns
  • get_assembly_context - Get assembly context
  • analyze_struct_field_usage - Analyze structure field access
  • get_field_access_context - Get field access patterns
  • create_function - Create function at address
  • get_function_jump_target_addresses - Get jump targets

See docs/README.md for complete documentation.

🏗️ Architecture

┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────────────┐
│   AI/Automation │◄──►│   MCP Bridge    │◄──►│  Ghidra Plugin  │
│     Tools       │    │ (bridge_mcp_    │    │ (GhidraMCP.jar) │
│  (Claude, etc.) │    │  ghidra.py)     │    │                 │
└─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘    └─────────────────┘
        │                       │                       │
   MCP Protocol            HTTP REST              Ghidra API
   (stdio/SSE)          (localhost:8080)      (Program, Listing)

Components

  • bridge_mcp_ghidra.py - Python MCP server that translates MCP protocol to HTTP calls
  • GhidraMCP.jar - Ghidra plugin that exposes analysis capabilities via HTTP
  • ghidra_scripts/ - Collection of 70+ automation scripts for common tasks

🔧 Development

Building from Source

# Recommended: one command does setup + build + deploy
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Deploy -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

# Optional: build only (no deploy)
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -BuildOnly

Script Command Reference

Primary actions (choose one):

  • -Deploy (default): auto-setup prereqs, build, deploy
  • -SetupDeps: install Ghidra JARs into local .m2 (Maven deps only; no Python package install)
  • -BuildOnly: build artifacts only
  • -Clean: remove build/cache artifacts and local Ghidra dependency folders in .m2 for the active Ghidra version
  • -Preflight: validate tools, paths, required Ghidra jars, and write access without making changes

Useful options:

  • -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"
  • -GhidraVersion "12.0.2"
  • -StrictPreflight
  • -NoAutoPrereqs
  • -SkipBuild
  • -SkipRestart
  • -DryRun
  • -Force
  • -Verbose
  • -Help

Quick examples:

# Standard deploy (recommended)
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Deploy -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

# First-time dependency setup only
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -SetupDeps -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

# Build only
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -BuildOnly

# Preflight checks only
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Preflight -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

# Strict preflight (fails on warnings)
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Preflight -StrictPreflight -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

# Show command help
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Help

Project Structure

ghidra-mcp/
├── bridge_mcp_ghidra.py     # MCP server (Python)
├── src/main/java/           # Ghidra plugin (Java)
├── lib/                     # Optional local workspace cache (not used by Maven resolution)
├── ghidra_scripts/          # 70+ automation scripts
├── docs/                    # Documentation
│   ├── prompts/            # AI workflow prompts
│   ├── releases/           # Version release notes
│   └── project-management/ # Project docs
├── examples/                # Example usage
└── scripts/                 # Build/utility scripts

Library Dependencies

Ghidra JARs must be installed into your local Maven repository (~/.m2/repository) before compilation. This is a one-time setup per machine, and again when your Ghidra version changes. -Deploy now installs these automatically by default.

The tool enforces version consistency between:

  • pom.xml (ghidra.version)
  • -GhidraVersion (if provided)
  • -GhidraPath version segment (e.g., ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC)

If these do not match, deployment fails fast with a clear error.

Troubleshooting: Version Mismatch

If you see a version mismatch error, align all three values:

  1. pom.xml → ghidra.version
  2. -GhidraVersion (if used)
  3. -GhidraPath version segment (ghidra_X.Y.Z_PUBLIC)

Then rerun:

.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -Deploy -GhidraPath "C:\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC" -GhidraVersion "12.0.2"

# Windows
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -SetupDeps -GhidraPath "C:\path\to\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC"

# Optional version override
.\ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1 -SetupDeps -GhidraPath "C:\path\to\ghidra_12.0.2_PUBLIC" -GhidraVersion "12.0.2"

Required Libraries (14 JARs, ~37MB):

Library Source Path Purpose
Base.jar Features/Base/lib/ Core Ghidra functionality
Decompiler.jar Features/Decompiler/lib/ Decompilation engine
PDB.jar Features/PDB/lib/ Microsoft PDB symbol support
FunctionID.jar Features/FunctionID/lib/ Function identification
SoftwareModeling.jar Framework/SoftwareModeling/lib/ Program model API
Project.jar Framework/Project/lib/ Project management
Docking.jar Framework/Docking/lib/ UI docking framework
Generic.jar Framework/Generic/lib/ Generic utilities
Utility.jar Framework/Utility/lib/ Core utilities
Gui.jar Framework/Gui/lib/ GUI components
FileSystem.jar Framework/FileSystem/lib/ File system support
Graph.jar Framework/Graph/lib/ Graph/call graph analysis
DB.jar Framework/DB/lib/ Database operations
Emulation.jar Framework/Emulation/lib/ P-code emulation

Note: Libraries are NOT included in the repository (see .gitignore). You must install them from your Ghidra installation before building.

Script roles:

  • ghidra-mcp-setup.ps1: unified automation script (-SetupDeps, -BuildOnly, -Deploy, -Clean)
  • default -Deploy behavior: auto-setup prerequisites, then build and deploy
  • use -NoAutoPrereqs for strict/manual prerequisite management

Development Features

  • Automated Deployment: Version-aware deployment script
  • Batch Operations: Reduces API calls by 93%
  • Atomic Transactions: All-or-nothing semantics
  • Comprehensive Logging: Debug and trace capabilities

📚 Documentation

Core Documentation

AI Workflow Prompts

Release History

🤝 Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md for detailed contribution guidelines.

Quick Start

  1. Fork the repository
  2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
  3. Build and test your changes (mvn clean package assembly:single -DskipTests)
  4. Update documentation as needed
  5. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
  6. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
  7. Open a Pull Request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0 - see the LICENSE file for details.

🏆 Production Status

Metric Value
Version 2.0.0
MCP Tools 110 fully implemented
Compilation ✅ 100% success
Batch Efficiency 93% API call reduction
Ghidra Scripts 70+ automation scripts
Documentation Comprehensive with AI prompts

See CHANGELOG.md for version history and release notes.

🙏 Acknowledgments

  • Ghidra Team - For the incredible reverse engineering platform
  • Model Context Protocol - For the standardized AI integration framework
  • Contributors - For testing, feedback, and improvements
  • re-universe — Ghidra BSim PostgreSQL platform for large-scale binary similarity analysis. Pairs perfectly with GhidraMCP for AI-driven reverse engineering workflows.
  • cheat-engine-server-python — MCP server for dynamic memory analysis and debugging.

Ready for production deployment with enterprise-grade reliability and comprehensive binary analysis capabilities.

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