describe_communications

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why describe_communications needs a policy

The tool appears to retrieve communication records based on the naming pattern (describe_*). Even though the description is empty, the function name strongly suggests a read-only data retrieval operation.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_communications' indicates a retrieval/query operation. The verb 'describe' is typically associated with fetching or querying data without modification.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access describe_communications gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control describe_communications

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Amazon Redshift MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for describe_communications:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "describe_communications": {}
  }
}

describe_communications is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Amazon Redshift MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

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All 805 Amazon Redshift MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

Roll out MCP under one policy → Per-person scoped tokens, one central policy, and full audit across every server your team connects.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →
PolicyLayer vs alternatives → How deterministic, per-call MCP policy compares with gateways, identity layers, and authorisation platforms.

FAQ

Questions about describe_communications

What does the describe_communications tool do? +

describe_communications. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Amazon Redshift MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on describe_communications? +

Register the Amazon Redshift MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_communications: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Amazon Redshift MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is describe_communications? +

describe_communications is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit describe_communications? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the describe_communications rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block describe_communications completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for describe_communications. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides describe_communications? +

describe_communications is provided by the Amazon Redshift MCP Server MCP server (awslabs.redshift-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Amazon Redshift MCP Server tool call.

Start from Amazon Redshift MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →