Medium Risk

select_instance

Select which instance subsequent tool calls operate on.

Part of the Betterdb server.

select_instance can modify Betterdb data, with no limits today. PolicyLayer puts allow, deny, and rate-limit rules on every call. Live in minutes.

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AI agents use select_instance to create or modify resources in Betterdb. Write operations carry medium risk because an autonomous agent could trigger bulk unintended modifications. Rate limits prevent a single agent session from making hundreds of changes in rapid succession. Argument validation ensures the agent passes expected values.

Without a policy, an AI agent could call select_instance repeatedly, creating or modifying resources faster than any human could review. PolicyLayer's rate limiting ensures write operations happen at a controlled pace, and argument validation catches malformed or unexpected inputs before they reach Betterdb.

Write tools can modify data. A rate limit prevents runaway bulk operations from AI agents.

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "select_instance": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "select_instance_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

See the full Betterdb policy for all 41 tools.

Get this rule live on your own Betterdb server in minutes. PolicyLayer enforces it on every call, before it runs.

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These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access select_instance gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Every attack above starts with a tool call. PolicyLayer checks each one against your policy first, so select_instance only ever does what you allow.

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Other write tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: rate-limit and validate the arguments.

What does the select_instance tool do? +

Select which instance subsequent tool calls operate on.. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Betterdb MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on select_instance? +

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

What risk level is select_instance? +

select_instance is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit select_instance? +

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

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

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

Enforce policy on every Betterdb tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 41 Betterdb tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

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4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.

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