list_tables

List all S3 tables across all table buckets and namespaces. Permissions: You must have the s3tables:ListTables permission to use this operation.

SERVERAWS SOURCE@awslabs/mcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/aws/list-tables.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_tables does on AWS

AI agents call list_tables to retrieve information from AWS without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why list_tables is rated Low

This tool performs a query/enumeration action to discover S3 tables. It retrieves information without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. The required permission 's3tables:ListTables' further confirms read-only intent. Misuse would have limited blast radius—an agent could discover table structure but cannot modify data or trigger external effects.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'list_tables' and description states 'List all S3 tables across all table buckets and namespaces.' The verb 'List' is a read-only operation that retrieves metadata about existing resources without modification.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs list_tables safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and AWS, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For list_tables, this is the rule to start with:

list_tables Allowed

list_tables is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

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

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect AWS, apply this rule, and every list_tables call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about list_tables

What does the list_tables tool do? +

List all S3 tables across all table buckets and namespaces. Permissions: You must have the s3tables:ListTables permission to use this operation. It is categorised as a Read tool in the AWS MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_tables? +

Register the AWS MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_tables: 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. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_tables? +

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

Can I rate-limit list_tables? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_tables 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 list_tables completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_tables. 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 list_tables? +

list_tables is provided by the AWS MCP server (@awslabs/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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