harden tool security boundaries across web, filesystem, and exec

Phase 1 - Security regression baseline
- add blocking tests for loopback and redirect-to-private web_fetch targets
- add filesystem symlink escape and prefix-bypass restriction tests
- add shell timeout test to verify child-process cleanup behavior

Phase 2 - Web fetch egress guard
- introduce stdlib-only fetch target validator for host/IP policy checks
- enforce target validation before connect, during redirect, and in dial path
- keep public constructor API and add internal test-aware constructor path

Phase 3 - Canonical filesystem boundary enforcement
- replace prefix checks with canonical workspace containment via filepath.Rel
- canonicalize workspace and target paths with symlink-aware resolution
- protect create/read/write/list/edit/append flows through shared validation

Phase 4 - Shell timeout process-tree cleanup
- switch command execution to explicit start/wait with timeout select
- add OS-specific process tree helpers for unix process groups and taskkill on windows
- preserve existing output contract and timeout messaging semantics

Phase 5 - Documentation and contributor guidance
- document web_fetch network boundary and complementary security model
- add tool security checklist for future built-in tool additions

Verification
- go test ./pkg/tools -run TestWebTool_WebFetch_Blocks (via golang:1.25)
- go test ./pkg/tools -run TestFilesystemTool_Restrict (via golang:1.25)
- go test ./pkg/tools -run TestShellTool_Timeout_KillsChildProcesses (via golang:1.25)
- go test ./pkg/tools -run TestWebTool_WebFetch_ (via golang:1.25)
- go test ./pkg/tools -run TestFilesystemTool_ (via golang:1.25)
- go test ./pkg/tools -run TestShellTool_ (via golang:1.25)
- go test ./pkg/tools (via golang:1.25)
- go generate ./... && go test ./... (via golang:1.25)

README.md

@@ -511,6 +511,21 @@ When `restrict_to_workspace: true`, the following tools are sandboxed:
 | `append_file` | Append to files | Only files within workspace |
 | `exec` | Execute commands | Command paths must be within workspace |
 
+#### Web Fetch Network Boundary
+
+`web_fetch` enforces an outbound network boundary independent of `restrict_to_workspace`.
+
+Blocked destination classes include:
+
+* loopback
+* private RFC1918 / unique-local ranges
+* link-local
+* multicast
+* unspecified / non-routable internal targets
+* redirect hops that resolve to blocked targets
+
+This policy is applied both before connect and during redirect handling, so a public URL cannot bounce into private infrastructure through redirects.
+
 #### Additional Exec Protection
 
 Even with `restrict_to_workspace: false`, the `exec` tool blocks these dangerous commands:
@@ -534,6 +549,11 @@ Even with `restrict_to_workspace: false`, the `exec` tool blocks these dangerous
 {tool=exec, error=Command blocked by safety guard (dangerous pattern detected)}
 ```
 
+```
+[ERROR] tool: Tool execution failed
+{tool=web_fetch, error=blocked destination: host "127.0.0.1" resolves to non-public IP 127.0.0.1}
+```
+
 #### Disabling Restrictions (Security Risk)
 
 If you need the agent to access paths outside the workspace:
@@ -560,7 +580,12 @@ export PICOCLAW_AGENTS_DEFAULTS_RESTRICT_TO_WORKSPACE=false
 
 #### Security Boundary Consistency
 
-The `restrict_to_workspace` setting applies consistently across all execution paths:
+PicoClaw enforces complementary boundaries:
+
+* Filesystem + shell boundary via `restrict_to_workspace`
+* Network egress boundary via `web_fetch` public-target validation
+
+The workspace boundary (`restrict_to_workspace`) applies consistently across all execution paths:
 
 | Execution Path | Security Boundary |
 |----------------|-------------------|

pkg/tools/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Tool Security Checklist
+
+When adding a new built-in tool, include these minimum safety checks:
+
+1. Path boundary: if the tool reads/writes files or executes commands with paths, enforce canonical workspace membership when `restrict_to_workspace=true`.
+2. Network boundary: if the tool performs outbound network calls, reject loopback/private/link-local/multicast/unspecified/internal targets and validate redirect hops.
+3. Timeout behavior: long-running operations must use deterministic timeout/cancel handling and terminate child processes where process trees are possible.
+4. Regression tests: add explicit tests for blocked behavior (not just happy-path errors), including redirect/path traversal/process-leak scenarios where relevant.
+5. Error clarity: return explicit denial reasons (`blocked destination`, `outside workspace`, `timed out`) so behavior is auditable in logs.

pkg/tools/filesystem.go

@@ -19,21 +19,98 @@ func validatePath(path, workspace string, restrict bool) (string, error) {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve workspace path: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	var absPath string
+	absPath, err := resolveTargetPath(path, absWorkspace)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if !restrict {
+		return absPath, nil
+	}
+
+	canonicalPath, err := pathWithinWorkspace(absPath, absWorkspace)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return canonicalPath, nil
+}
+
+func resolveTargetPath(path, absWorkspace string) (string, error) {
 	if filepath.IsAbs(path) {
-		absPath = filepath.Clean(path)
+		return filepath.Clean(path), nil
-	} else {
+	}
-		absPath, err = filepath.Abs(filepath.Join(absWorkspace, path))
+
+	absPath, err := filepath.Abs(filepath.Join(absWorkspace, path))
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve file path: %w", err)
 	}
+	return filepath.Clean(absPath), nil
 }
 
-	if restrict && !strings.HasPrefix(absPath, absWorkspace) {
+func pathWithinWorkspace(target, workspace string) (string, error) {
+	canonicalWorkspace, err := canonicalizeExistingPath(workspace)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to canonicalize workspace path: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	canonicalTarget, err := canonicalizePathForBoundary(target)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to canonicalize target path: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(canonicalWorkspace, canonicalTarget)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to evaluate workspace boundary: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("access denied: path is outside the workspace")
 	}
 
-	return absPath, nil
+	return canonicalTarget, nil
+}
+
+func canonicalizeExistingPath(path string) (string, error) {
+	resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return filepath.Clean(resolved), nil
+}
+
+func canonicalizePathForBoundary(path string) (string, error) {
+	cleanPath := filepath.Clean(path)
+	segments := make([]string, 0, 4)
+	current := cleanPath
+
+	for {
+		_, err := os.Lstat(current)
+		if err == nil {
+			resolved, evalErr := filepath.EvalSymlinks(current)
+			if evalErr != nil {
+				return "", evalErr
+			}
+
+			for i := len(segments) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+				resolved = filepath.Join(resolved, segments[i])
+			}
+
+			return filepath.Clean(resolved), nil
+		}
+
+		if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return "", err
+		}
+
+		parent := filepath.Dir(current)
+		if parent == current {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("could not resolve existing parent for %q", path)
+		}
+
+		segments = append(segments, filepath.Base(current))
+		current = parent
+	}
 }
 
 type ReadFileTool struct {

pkg/tools/filesystem_test.go

@@ -247,3 +247,55 @@ func TestFilesystemTool_ListDir_DefaultPath(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Expected success with default path '.', got IsError=true: %s", result.ForLLM)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestFilesystemTool_Restrict_BlocksSymlinkEscape verifies symlink traversal outside workspace is blocked.
+func TestFilesystemTool_Restrict_BlocksSymlinkEscape(t *testing.T) {
+	workspace := t.TempDir()
+	outside := t.TempDir()
+	secretFile := filepath.Join(outside, "secret.txt")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(secretFile, []byte("do-not-read"), 0644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create outside file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	linkPath := filepath.Join(workspace, "leak.txt")
+	if err := os.Symlink(secretFile, linkPath); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("symlink unavailable in this environment: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	tool := NewReadFileTool(workspace, true)
+	result := tool.Execute(context.Background(), map[string]interface{}{"path": "leak.txt"})
+	if !result.IsError {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected symlink escape to be blocked")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(result.ForLLM), "outside") {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected workspace boundary error, got: %s", result.ForLLM)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFilesystemTool_Restrict_BlocksPrefixBypass verifies prefix confusion paths are blocked.
+func TestFilesystemTool_Restrict_BlocksPrefixBypass(t *testing.T) {
+	parent := t.TempDir()
+	workspace := filepath.Join(parent, "workspace")
+	prefixBypassDir := filepath.Join(parent, "workspace-evil")
+
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(workspace, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create workspace: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(prefixBypassDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create bypass dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	bypassFile := filepath.Join(prefixBypassDir, "stolen.txt")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(bypassFile, []byte("secret"), 0644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create bypass file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	tool := NewReadFileTool(workspace, true)
+	result := tool.Execute(context.Background(), map[string]interface{}{"path": bypassFile})
+	if !result.IsError {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected prefix bypass path to be blocked")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(result.ForLLM), "outside") {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected workspace boundary error, got: %s", result.ForLLM)
+	}
+}

pkg/tools/network_guard.go

@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"net/url"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+var (
+	cgnatPrefix     = netip.MustParsePrefix("100.64.0.0/10")
+	benchmarkPrefix = netip.MustParsePrefix("198.18.0.0/15")
+	reservedPrefix  = netip.MustParsePrefix("240.0.0.0/4")
+)
+
+type fetchTargetValidator struct {
+	resolver     *net.Resolver
+	allowedHosts map[string]struct{}
+}
+
+func newFetchTargetValidator(allowHosts []string, resolver *net.Resolver) *fetchTargetValidator {
+	allowed := make(map[string]struct{}, len(allowHosts))
+	for _, host := range allowHosts {
+		normalized := normalizeHostToken(host)
+		if normalized != "" {
+			allowed[normalized] = struct{}{}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if resolver == nil {
+		resolver = net.DefaultResolver
+	}
+
+	return &fetchTargetValidator{
+		resolver:     resolver,
+		allowedHosts: allowed,
+	}
+}
+
+func (v *fetchTargetValidator) validateURL(ctx context.Context, target *url.URL) error {
+	host := normalizeHostToken(target.Hostname())
+	if host == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("missing domain in URL")
+	}
+
+	port := target.Port()
+	if v.isAllowed(host, port) {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if isBlockedHostname(host) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("blocked destination: host %q is internal-only", target.Hostname())
+	}
+
+	if ip, ok := parseIPLiteral(host); ok {
+		if IsBlockedIP(ip) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("blocked destination: IP %s is not publicly routable", ip)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	addrs, err := v.resolver.LookupNetIP(ctx, "ip", host)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve host %q: %w", host, err)
+	}
+	if len(addrs) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve host %q: no records", host)
+	}
+
+	for _, addr := range addrs {
+		if IsBlockedIP(addr) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("blocked destination: host %q resolves to non-public IP %s", host, addr)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (v *fetchTargetValidator) isAllowed(host, port string) bool {
+	if len(v.allowedHosts) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if _, ok := v.allowedHosts[host]; ok {
+		return true
+	}
+	if port != "" {
+		if _, ok := v.allowedHosts[host+":"+port]; ok {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// ValidateFetchTarget applies the default web fetch target policy.
+func ValidateFetchTarget(target *url.URL) error {
+	return newFetchTargetValidator(nil, net.DefaultResolver).validateURL(context.Background(), target)
+}
+
+// IsBlockedIP returns true for IPs that should not be reachable from web_fetch.
+func IsBlockedIP(addr netip.Addr) bool {
+	if !addr.IsValid() {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if addr.IsLoopback() ||
+		addr.IsPrivate() ||
+		addr.IsLinkLocalUnicast() ||
+		addr.IsLinkLocalMulticast() ||
+		addr.IsMulticast() ||
+		addr.IsUnspecified() ||
+		addr.IsInterfaceLocalMulticast() {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if addr.Is4() {
+		if cgnatPrefix.Contains(addr) || benchmarkPrefix.Contains(addr) || reservedPrefix.Contains(addr) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
+
+func isBlockedHostname(host string) bool {
+	if host == "localhost" || strings.HasSuffix(host, ".localhost") {
+		return true
+	}
+	if strings.HasSuffix(host, ".local") || strings.HasSuffix(host, ".internal") {
+		return true
+	}
+	if host == "metadata.google.internal" || host == "metadata" {
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func parseIPLiteral(host string) (netip.Addr, bool) {
+	if i := strings.Index(host, "%"); i >= 0 {
+		host = host[:i]
+	}
+	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(host)
+	if err != nil {
+		return netip.Addr{}, false
+	}
+	return addr.Unmap(), true
+}
+
+func normalizeHostToken(raw string) string {
+	return strings.TrimSuffix(strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(raw)), ".")
+}
+
+func guardedDialContext(base *net.Dialer, validator *fetchTargetValidator) func(ctx context.Context, network, address string) (net.Conn, error) {
+	if base == nil {
+		base = &net.Dialer{}
+	}
+
+	return func(ctx context.Context, network, address string) (net.Conn, error) {
+		host, port, err := net.SplitHostPort(address)
+		if err != nil {
+			host = address
+			port = ""
+		}
+
+		target := &url.URL{Host: host}
+		if port != "" {
+			target.Host = net.JoinHostPort(host, port)
+		}
+
+		if err := validator.validateURL(ctx, target); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		return base.DialContext(ctx, network, address)
+	}
+}

pkg/tools/shell.go

@@ -94,26 +94,53 @@ func (t *ExecTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]interface{}) *To
 
 	var cmd *exec.Cmd
 	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
-		cmd = exec.CommandContext(cmdCtx, "powershell", "-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-Command", command)
+		cmd = exec.Command("powershell", "-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-Command", command)
 	} else {
-		cmd = exec.CommandContext(cmdCtx, "sh", "-c", command)
+		cmd = exec.Command("sh", "-c", command)
 	}
 	if cwd != "" {
 		cmd.Dir = cwd
 	}
 
+	prepareCommandForTreeControl(cmd)
+
 	var stdout, stderr bytes.Buffer
 	cmd.Stdout = &stdout
 	cmd.Stderr = &stderr
 
-	err := cmd.Run()
+	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return ErrorResult(fmt.Sprintf("failed to start command: %v", err))
+	}
+
+	waitDone := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		waitDone <- cmd.Wait()
+	}()
+
+	var err error
+	timedOut := false
+
+	select {
+	case err = <-waitDone:
+	case <-cmdCtx.Done():
+		if killErr := killCommandTree(cmd); killErr != nil {
+			return ErrorResult(fmt.Sprintf("failed to terminate command tree: %v", killErr))
+		}
+
+		timedOut = cmdCtx.Err() == context.DeadlineExceeded
+		select {
+		case err = <-waitDone:
+		case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+			return ErrorResult("command termination timed out after deadline")
+		}
+	}
+
 	output := stdout.String()
 	if stderr.Len() > 0 {
 		output += "\nSTDERR:\n" + stderr.String()
 	}
 
-	if err != nil {
+	if timedOut {
-		if cmdCtx.Err() == context.DeadlineExceeded {
 		msg := fmt.Sprintf("Command timed out after %v", t.timeout)
 		return &ToolResult{
 			ForLLM:  msg,
@@ -121,6 +148,8 @@ func (t *ExecTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]interface{}) *To
 			IsError: true,
 		}
 	}
+
+	if err != nil {
 		output += fmt.Sprintf("\nExit code: %v", err)
 	}
 

pkg/tools/shell_process_unix.go

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+func prepareCommandForTreeControl(cmd *exec.Cmd) {
+	cmd.SysProcAttr = &syscall.SysProcAttr{
+		Setpgid: true,
+	}
+}
+
+func killCommandTree(cmd *exec.Cmd) error {
+	if cmd == nil || cmd.Process == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	pgid, err := syscall.Getpgid(cmd.Process.Pid)
+	if err == nil {
+		if killErr := syscall.Kill(-pgid, syscall.SIGKILL); killErr == nil || killErr == syscall.ESRCH {
+			return nil
+		} else {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to kill process group %d: %w", pgid, killErr)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if killErr := cmd.Process.Kill(); killErr != nil && killErr != os.ErrProcessDone {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to kill process %d: %w", cmd.Process.Pid, killErr)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}

pkg/tools/shell_process_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strconv"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+func prepareCommandForTreeControl(cmd *exec.Cmd) {
+	cmd.SysProcAttr = &syscall.SysProcAttr{
+		CreationFlags: syscall.CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP,
+	}
+}
+
+func killCommandTree(cmd *exec.Cmd) error {
+	if cmd == nil || cmd.Process == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	pid := strconv.Itoa(cmd.Process.Pid)
+	killCmd := exec.Command("taskkill", "/T", "/F", "/PID", pid)
+	if err := killCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("taskkill failed for pid %s: %w", pid, err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}

pkg/tools/shell_test.go

@@ -2,8 +2,12 @@ package tools
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -208,3 +212,95 @@ func TestShellTool_RestrictToWorkspace(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Expected 'blocked' message for path traversal, got ForLLM: %s, ForUser: %s", result.ForLLM, result.ForUser)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestShellTool_Timeout_KillsChildProcesses verifies timeout cleanup includes child processes.
+func TestShellTool_Timeout_KillsChildProcesses(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewExecTool("", false)
+	tool.SetTimeout(1200 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	pidFile := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "child.pid")
+	var cmd string
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		escapedPidFile := strings.ReplaceAll(pidFile, "'", "''")
+		cmd = fmt.Sprintf(
+			"$p = Start-Process -FilePath powershell -ArgumentList '-NoProfile','-NonInteractive','-Command','Start-Sleep -Seconds 30' -WindowStyle Hidden -PassThru; Set-Content -Path '%s' -Value $p.Id; Start-Sleep -Seconds 30",
+			escapedPidFile,
+		)
+	} else {
+		cmd = fmt.Sprintf("sleep 30 & echo $! > %q; sleep 30", pidFile)
+	}
+
+	result := tool.Execute(context.Background(), map[string]interface{}{"command": cmd})
+	if !result.IsError {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected timeout error for long-running command tree")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(result.ForLLM), "timed out") {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected timeout message, got: %s", result.ForLLM)
+	}
+
+	childPID, err := waitForPID(pidFile, 4*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to obtain child pid file before timeout: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Give timeout cleanup a short grace period before checking process liveness.
+	time.Sleep(400 * time.Millisecond)
+	alive := processAlive(childPID)
+	if alive {
+		status := processStatus(childPID)
+		killProcess(childPID)
+		t.Fatalf("expected child process %d to be terminated after timeout; status: %s", childPID, status)
+	}
+}
+
+func waitForPID(path string, timeout time.Duration) (int, error) {
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+		if err == nil {
+			pid, parseErr := strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimSpace(string(raw)))
+			if parseErr == nil && pid > 0 {
+				return pid, nil
+			}
+		}
+		time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	return 0, fmt.Errorf("pid file %s not ready within %v", path, timeout)
+}
+
+func processAlive(pid int) bool {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		err := exec.Command("powershell", "-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-Command", fmt.Sprintf("Get-Process -Id %d | Out-Null", pid)).Run()
+		return err == nil
+	}
+
+	output, err := exec.Command("sh", "-c", fmt.Sprintf("ps -o stat= -p %d", pid)).CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	state := strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
+	if state == "" || strings.HasPrefix(state, "Z") {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+func processStatus(pid int) string {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		output, _ := exec.Command("tasklist", "/FI", fmt.Sprintf("PID eq %d", pid)).CombinedOutput()
+		return strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
+	}
+
+	output, _ := exec.Command("sh", "-c", fmt.Sprintf("ps -o pid=,ppid=,pgid=,stat=,cmd= -p %d", pid)).CombinedOutput()
+	return strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
+}
+
+func killProcess(pid int) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		_ = exec.Command("taskkill", "/PID", strconv.Itoa(pid), "/T", "/F").Run()
+		return
+	}
+	_ = exec.Command("kill", "-KILL", strconv.Itoa(pid)).Run()
+}

pkg/tools/web.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
+	"net"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/url"
 	"regexp"
@@ -267,14 +268,20 @@ func (t *WebSearchTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]interface{}
 
 type WebFetchTool struct {
 	maxChars  int
+	validator *fetchTargetValidator
 }
 
 func NewWebFetchTool(maxChars int) *WebFetchTool {
+	return newWebFetchTool(maxChars, nil)
+}
+
+func newWebFetchTool(maxChars int, allowHosts []string) *WebFetchTool {
 	if maxChars <= 0 {
 		maxChars = 50000
 	}
 	return &WebFetchTool{
 		maxChars:  maxChars,
+		validator: newFetchTargetValidator(allowHosts, net.DefaultResolver),
 	}
 }
 
@@ -330,6 +337,10 @@ func (t *WebFetchTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]interface{})
 		}
 	}
 
+	if err := t.validator.validateURL(ctx, parsedURL); err != nil {
+		return ErrorResult(err.Error())
+	}
+
 	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, "GET", urlStr, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ErrorResult(fmt.Sprintf("failed to create request: %v", err))
@@ -337,6 +348,11 @@ func (t *WebFetchTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]interface{})
 
 	req.Header.Set("User-Agent", userAgent)
 
+	dialer := &net.Dialer{
+		Timeout:   30 * time.Second,
+		KeepAlive: 30 * time.Second,
+	}
+
 	client := &http.Client{
 		Timeout: 60 * time.Second,
 		Transport: &http.Transport{
@@ -344,11 +360,15 @@ func (t *WebFetchTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]interface{})
 			IdleConnTimeout:     30 * time.Second,
 			DisableCompression:  false,
 			TLSHandshakeTimeout: 15 * time.Second,
+			DialContext:         guardedDialContext(dialer, t.validator),
 		},
 		CheckRedirect: func(req *http.Request, via []*http.Request) error {
 			if len(via) >= 5 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("stopped after 5 redirects")
 			}
+			if err := t.validator.validateURL(req.Context(), req.URL); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 			return nil
 		},
 	}

pkg/tools/web_test.go

@@ -5,10 +5,17 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
+	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
+// newWebFetchToolForTests centralizes test construction.
+// allowHosts is wired in Phase 2 once fetch target policy is introduced.
+func newWebFetchToolForTests(maxChars int, allowHosts ...string) *WebFetchTool {
+	return newWebFetchTool(maxChars, allowHosts)
+}
+
 // TestWebTool_WebFetch_Success verifies successful URL fetching
 func TestWebTool_WebFetch_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
@@ -18,7 +25,11 @@ func TestWebTool_WebFetch_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	}))
 	defer server.Close()
 
-	tool := NewWebFetchTool(50000)
+	parsed, err := url.Parse(server.URL)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse test server URL: %v", err)
+	}
+	tool := newWebFetchToolForTests(50000, parsed.Host)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	args := map[string]interface{}{
 		"url": server.URL,
@@ -54,7 +65,11 @@ func TestWebTool_WebFetch_JSON(t *testing.T) {
 	}))
 	defer server.Close()
 
-	tool := NewWebFetchTool(50000)
+	parsed, err := url.Parse(server.URL)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse test server URL: %v", err)
+	}
+	tool := newWebFetchToolForTests(50000, parsed.Host)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	args := map[string]interface{}{
 		"url": server.URL,
@@ -145,7 +160,11 @@ func TestWebTool_WebFetch_Truncation(t *testing.T) {
 	}))
 	defer server.Close()
 
-	tool := NewWebFetchTool(1000) // Limit to 1000 chars
+	parsed, err := url.Parse(server.URL)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse test server URL: %v", err)
+	}
+	tool := newWebFetchToolForTests(1000, parsed.Host) // Limit to 1000 chars
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	args := map[string]interface{}{
 		"url": server.URL,
@@ -206,7 +225,11 @@ func TestWebTool_WebFetch_HTMLExtraction(t *testing.T) {
 	}))
 	defer server.Close()
 
-	tool := NewWebFetchTool(50000)
+	parsed, err := url.Parse(server.URL)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse test server URL: %v", err)
+	}
+	tool := newWebFetchToolForTests(50000, parsed.Host)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	args := map[string]interface{}{
 		"url": server.URL,
@@ -250,3 +273,47 @@ func TestWebTool_WebFetch_MissingDomain(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Expected domain error message, got ForLLM: %s", result.ForLLM)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestWebTool_WebFetch_BlocksLoopback verifies loopback targets are blocked
+func TestWebTool_WebFetch_BlocksLoopback(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewWebFetchTool(50000)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	args := map[string]interface{}{
+		"url": "http://127.0.0.1/",
+	}
+
+	result := tool.Execute(ctx, args)
+	if !result.IsError {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected blocked destination error for loopback target")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(result.ForLLM), "blocked destination") {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected blocked destination message, got: %s", result.ForLLM)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestWebTool_WebFetch_BlocksRedirectToPrivate verifies private redirect hops are blocked
+func TestWebTool_WebFetch_BlocksRedirectToPrivate(t *testing.T) {
+	redirectServer := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		http.Redirect(w, r, "http://127.0.0.1:1/private", http.StatusFound)
+	}))
+	defer redirectServer.Close()
+
+	parsed, err := url.Parse(redirectServer.URL)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse test server URL: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	tool := newWebFetchToolForTests(50000, parsed.Host)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	args := map[string]interface{}{
+		"url": redirectServer.URL,
+	}
+
+	result := tool.Execute(ctx, args)
+	if !result.IsError {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected blocked destination error for redirect to private target")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(result.ForLLM), "blocked destination") {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected blocked destination message, got: %s", result.ForLLM)
+	}
+}