list_columns
AI agents call list_columns to retrieve information from AWS IoT SiteWise MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool name 'list_columns' follows the pattern of Read operations (list, get, fetch) that retrieve information about database or data structure schemas. No description is provided, but the semantics of 'list' and 'columns' indicate data retrieval with no side effects. In AWS IoT SiteWise context, this would retrieve metadata about available columns in assets or time-series data without modifying anything.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_columns' indicates a retrieval operation that queries column metadata without modifying data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
list_columns. It is categorised as a Read tool in the AWS IoT SiteWise MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the AWS IoT SiteWise MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_columns: 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 AWS IoT SiteWise MCP Server. Nothing to install.
list_columns is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_columns 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.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_columns. 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.
list_columns is provided by the AWS IoT SiteWise MCP Server MCP server (awslabs.aws-iot-sitewise-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.