A powerful Ghidra extension that provides an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server, enabling AI assistants and other tools to interact with Ghidra's reverse engineering capabilities through a standardized API.

Overview

GhidrAssistMCP bridges the gap between AI-powered analysis tools and Ghidra's comprehensive reverse engineering platform. By implementing the Model Context Protocol, this extension allows external AI assistants, automated analysis tools, and custom scripts to seamlessly interact with Ghidra's analysis capabilities.

Key Features

• MCP Server Integration: Full Model Context Protocol server implementation using official SDK
• Dual HTTP Transports: Supports SSE and Streamable HTTP transports for maximum client compatibility
• 39 Built-in Tools: Comprehensive set of analysis tools covering functions, data, cross-references, structures, and more
• Multi-Program Support: Work with multiple open programs simultaneously using program_name parameter
• Multi-Window Support: Single MCP server shared across all CodeBrowser windows with intelligent focus tracking
• Active Context Awareness: Automatic detection of which binary window is in focus, with context hints in all tool responses
• Configurable UI: Easy-to-use interface for managing tools and monitoring activity
• Real-time Logging: Track all MCP requests and responses with detailed logging
• Dynamic Tool Management: Enable/disable tools individually with persistent settings
• Current Context Awareness: Tools that understand Ghidra's current cursor position and active function

Clients

Shameless self-promotion: GhidrAssist supports GhidrAssistMCP right out of the box.

Screenshots

Installation

Prerequisites

• Ghidra 11.4+ (tested with Ghidra 11.4 Public)
• An MCP Client (Like GhidrAssist)

Binary Release (Recommended)

1. Download the latest release:

   • Go to the Releases page
   • Download the latest .zip file (e.g., GhidrAssistMCP-v1.0.0.zip)

2. Install the extension:

   • In Ghidra: File → Install Extensions → Add Extension
   • Select the downloaded ZIP file
   • Restart Ghidra when prompted

3. Enable the plugin:

   • File → Configure → Configure Plugins
   • Search for "GhidrAssistMCP"
   • Check the box to enable the plugin

Building from Source

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd GhidrAssistMCP
   

2. Set Ghidra installation path:

   export GHIDRA_INSTALL_DIR=/path/to/your/ghidra/installation
   

3. Build the extension:

   gradle buildExtension
   

4. Install the extension:

   • Copy the generated ZIP file from dist/ directory
   • In Ghidra: File → Install Extensions → Add Extension
   • Select the ZIP file and restart Ghidra

5. Enable the plugin:

   • File → Configure → Configure Plugins
   • Search for "GhidrAssistMCP"
   • Check the box to enable the plugin

Configuration

Initial Setup

1. Open the Control Panel:

   • Window → GhidrAssistMCP (or use the toolbar icon)

2. Configure Server Settings:

   • Host: Default is localhost
   • Port: Default is 8080
   • Enable/Disable: Toggle the MCP server on/off

Tool Management

The Configuration tab allows you to:

• View all available tools (39 total)
• Enable/disable individual tools using checkboxes
• Save configuration to persist across sessions
• Monitor tool status in real-time

Available Tools

Program Analysis

• get_program_info - Get basic program information
• list_programs - List all open programs (for multi-program support)
• list_functions - List all functions in the program
• list_data - List data definitions
• list_data_types - List all available data types
• list_strings - List string references
• list_imports - List imported functions
• list_exports - List exported functions
• list_segments - List memory segments
• list_namespaces - List namespaces
• list_classes - List class definitions
• list_methods - List method definitions

Function Analysis

• get_function_info - Get detailed function information
• get_class_info - Get detailed class information
• get_function_by_address - Find function at specific address
• get_current_function - Get function at cursor position
• decompile_function - Decompile function to C-like code
• disassemble_function - Get assembly disassembly
• search_functions - Search functions by name pattern
• search_classes - Search classes by name pattern
• function_xrefs - Get function cross-references

Location & Navigation

• get_current_address - Get current cursor address
• get_hexdump - Get hexdump of memory at specific address
• xrefs_to - Find references to an address
• xrefs_from - Find references from an address

Modification Tools

• rename_function - Rename functions
• rename_function_by_address - Rename function at specific address
• rename_variable - Rename variables
• rename_data - Rename data definitions
• set_function_prototype - Set function signatures
• set_local_variable_type - Set variable data types
• set_disassembly_comment - Add disassembly comments
• set_decompiler_comment - Add decompiler comments

Structure & Data Type Management

• get_data_type - Get detailed data type information and structure definitions
• create_struct - Create new user-defined structures
• modify_struct - Modify existing structures with C definitions
• rename_structure_field - Rename fields within structures
• set_data_type - Set data type at specific address
• auto_create_struct - Automatically create structures from variable usage patterns

Usage Examples

Basic Program Information

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "get_program_info"
  }
}

Function Analysis

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "get_function_info",
    "arguments": {
      "function_name": "main"
    }
  }
}

Decompilation

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "decompile_function",
    "arguments": {
      "function_name": "encrypt_data"
    }
  }
}

Structure Creation

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "auto_create_struct",
    "arguments": {
      "function_identifier": "0x00401000",
      "variable_name": "ctx"
    }
  }
}

Setting Function Prototype

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "set_function_prototype",
    "arguments": {
      "function_address": "0x00401000",
      "prototype": "int main(int argc, char** argv)"
    }
  }
}

Multi-Program Support

When working with multiple open programs, first list them:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "list_programs"
  }
}

Then specify which program to target using program_name:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "list_functions",
    "arguments": {
      "program_name": "target_binary.exe",
      "limit": 10
    }
  }
}

Multi-Window Support & Active Context Awareness

GhidrAssistMCP uses a singleton architecture that enables seamless operation across multiple CodeBrowser windows:

How It Works

1. Single Shared Server: One MCP server (port 8080) serves all CodeBrowser windows
2. Focus Tracking: Automatically detects which CodeBrowser window is currently active
3. Context Hints: All tool responses include context information to help AI understand which binary is in focus

Automatic Context Detection

When you open multiple binaries in separate CodeBrowser windows, GhidrAssistMCP tracks:

• Which window was most recently focused
• Which program is currently active in that window
• All programs open across all windows

Context Information in Responses

Every tool response includes a context header:

[Context] Operating on: malware.exe | Active window: malware.exe

<tool response content>

or when targeting a different program:

[Context] Operating on: lib.so | Active window: main.exe | Total open programs: 3

<tool response content>

Benefits for AI Assistants

• Smart Defaults: When no program_name is specified, tools automatically use the program from the active window
• Context Awareness: AI knows which binary the user is currently viewing
• Prevents Confusion: Clear indication when operating on a different binary than what's in the active window
• Multi-tasking: Work with multiple binaries without constantly specifying which one to target

Example Workflow

1. Open malware.exe in CodeBrowser window 1
2. Open lib.dll in CodeBrowser window 2
3. Click on window 1 (focuses on malware.exe)
4. Ask AI: "decompile the main function"
   • AI receives context: [Context] Operating on: malware.exe
   • Automatically targets the correct binary
5. Switch to window 2 (lib.dll)
6. Ask AI: "list functions"
   • AI receives context: [Context] Operating on: lib.dll
   • Automatically switches context

Architecture

Core Components

GhidrAssistMCP/
├── GhidrAssistMCPManager     # Singleton coordinator for multi-window support
│   ├── Tracks all CodeBrowser windows
│   ├── Manages focus tracking
│   └── Owns shared server and backend
├── GhidrAssistMCPPlugin      # Plugin instance (one per CodeBrowser window)
│   └── Registers with singleton manager
├── GhidrAssistMCPServer      # HTTP MCP server (SSE + Streamable)
│   └── Single shared instance on port 8080
├── GhidrAssistMCPBackend     # Tool management and execution
│   └── Single shared instance
├── GhidrAssistMCPProvider    # UI component provider
│   └── First registered instance provides UI
└── tools/                    # Individual MCP tools (39 total)
    ├── Analysis Tools/
    ├── Modification Tools/
    └── Navigation Tools/

Singleton Architecture: Multiple CodeBrowser windows share a single MCP server and backend through the GhidrAssistMCPManager singleton. This ensures:

• All open programs are visible regardless of which window they're in
• Single server on port 8080 serves all windows
• Focus tracking determines active context
• Server lifecycle tied to all windows (starts with first, stops when all close)

MCP Protocol Implementation

• Transports:
  • HTTP with Server-Sent Events (SSE)
  • Streamable HTTP
• Endpoints:
  • GET /sse - SSE connection for bidirectional communication
  • POST /message - Message exchange endpoint
  • GET /mcp - Receive Streamable HTTP events
  • POST /mcp - Initialize Streamable HTTP session
  • DELETE /mcp - Terminate Streamable HTTP session
• Tool Registration: Dynamic tool discovery and registration
• Session Management: Stateful sessions with proper lifecycle management

Plugin Architecture

1. Observer Pattern: Decoupled UI updates using event listeners
2. Transaction Management: Safe database operations with rollback support
3. Tool Registry: Dynamic tool registration with enable/disable capability
4. Settings Persistence: Configuration saved in Ghidra's settings system
5. Thread Safety: Proper Swing EDT handling for UI operations

Development

Project Structure

src/main/java/ghidrassistmcp/
├── GhidrAssistMCPPlugin.java      # Main plugin class
├── GhidrAssistMCPProvider.java    # UI provider with tabs
├── GhidrAssistMCPServer.java      # MCP server implementation
├── GhidrAssistMCPBackend.java     # Backend tool management
├── McpBackend.java                # Backend interface
├── McpTool.java                   # Tool interface
├── McpEventListener.java          # Event notification interface
└── tools/                         # Tool implementations
    ├── ProgramInfoTool.java
    ├── ListFunctionsTool.java
    ├── DecompileFunctionTool.java
    ├── AutoCreateStructTool.java
    └── ... (39 total tools)

Adding New Tools

1. Implement McpTool interface:

   public class MyCustomTool implements McpTool {
       @Override
       public String getName() { return "my_custom_tool"; }
   
       @Override
       public String getDescription() { return "Description"; }
   
       @Override
       public McpSchema.JsonSchema getInputSchema() { /* ... */ }
   
       @Override
       public McpSchema.CallToolResult execute(Map<String, Object> arguments, Program program) {
           // Implementation
       }
   }
   

2. Register in backend:

   // In GhidrAssistMCPBackend constructor
   registerTool(new MyCustomTool());
   

Build Commands

# Clean build
gradle clean

# Build extension
gradle buildExtension

# Build with specific Ghidra path
gradle -PGHIDRA_INSTALL_DIR=/path/to/ghidra buildExtension

# Debug build
gradle buildExtension --debug

Dependencies

• MCP SDK: io.modelcontextprotocol.sdk:mcp:0.10.0
• Jetty Server: 11.0.20 (HTTP/SSE transport)
• Jackson: 2.17.0 (JSON processing)
• Ghidra API: Bundled with Ghidra installation

Logging

UI Logging

The Log tab provides real-time monitoring:

• Session Events: Server start/stop, program changes
• Tool Requests: REQ: tool_name {parameters...}
• Tool Responses: RES: tool_name {response...}
• Error Messages: Failed operations and diagnostics

Console Logging

Detailed logging in Ghidra's console:

• Tool registration and initialization
• MCP server lifecycle events
• Database transaction operations
• Error stack traces and debugging information

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Server Won't Start

• Check if port 8080 is available
• Verify Ghidra installation path
• Examine console logs for errors

Tools Not Appearing

• Ensure plugin is enabled
• Check Configuration tab for tool status
• Verify backend initialization in logs

MCP Client Connection Issues

• Confirm server is running (check GhidrAssistMCP window)
• Test connection: curl http://localhost:8080/sse
• Check firewall settings

Tool Execution Failures

• Verify program is loaded in Ghidra
• Check tool parameters are correct
• Review error messages in Log tab

Debug Mode

Enable debug logging by adding to Ghidra startup:

-Dlog4j.logger.ghidrassistmcp=DEBUG

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch: git checkout -b feature-name
3. Make your changes with proper tests
4. Follow code style: Use existing patterns and conventions
5. Submit a pull request with detailed description

Code Standards

• Java 21+ features where appropriate
• Proper exception handling with meaningful messages
• Transaction safety for all database operations
• Thread safety for UI operations
• Comprehensive documentation for public APIs

License

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

Acknowledgments

• NSA/Ghidra Team for the excellent reverse engineering platform
• Anthropic for the Model Context Protocol specification

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Questions or Issues?

Please open an issue on the project repository for bug reports, feature requests, or questions about usage and development.