Lists AWS CloudWatch log groups and saved queries associated with them, optionally filtering by a name prefix. This tool retrieves information about log groups in the account, or log groups in accounts linked to this account as a monitoring account. If a prefix is provided, only log groups with ...
Part of the AWS Labs CloudWatch MCP Server MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.
AI agents call describe_log_groups to retrieve information from AWS Labs CloudWatch MCP Server without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though describe_log_groups only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
tools:
describe_log_groups:
rules:
- action: allowSee the full AWS Labs CloudWatch MCP Server policy for all 19 tools.
Agents calling read-class tools like describe_log_groups have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:
Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.
Lists AWS CloudWatch log groups and saved queries associated with them, optionally filtering by a name prefix. This tool retrieves information about log groups in the account, or log groups in accounts linked to this account as a monitoring account. If a prefix is provided, only log groups with names starting with the specified prefix are returned. Additionally returns any user saved queries that are associated with any of the returned log groups. Usage: Use this tool to discover log groups that you'd retrieve or query logs from and queries that have been saved by the user. Returns: -------- List of log group metadata dictionaries and saved queries associated with them Each log group metadata contains details such as: - logGroupName: The name of the log group. - creationTime: Timestamp when the log group was created - retentionInDays: Retention period, if set - storedBytes: The number of bytes stored. - kmsKeyId: KMS Key Id used for data encryption, if set - dataProtectionStatus: Displays whether this log group has a protection policy, or whether it had one in the past, if set - logGroupClass: Type of log group class - logGroupArn: The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the log group. This version of the ARN doesn't include a trailing :* after the log group name. Any saved queries that are applicable to the returned log groups are also included.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the AWS Labs CloudWatch MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for describe_log_groups. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the AWS Labs CloudWatch MCP Server MCP server.
describe_log_groups 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 describe_log_groups rule in your Intercept 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 Intercept policy for describe_log_groups. 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.
describe_log_groups is provided by the AWS Labs CloudWatch MCP Server MCP server (awslabs.cloudwatch-mcp-server). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic policy on every MCP tool call. Per-identity grants. Full audit log.