pg_stats_running_total
Calculate cumulative running total (SUM OVER) for a numeric column. Use partitionBy to reset total per group.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-neverinfamous-postgres-mcp/pg-stats-running-total.md
What pg_stats_running_total does on PostgreSQL MCP Server
AI agents invoke pg_stats_running_total to trigger actions in PostgreSQL MCP Server. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
Why pg_stats_running_total is rated High
This tool runs a SQL window function (SUM OVER) against the PostgreSQL database. While it is read-only in nature, it executes a dynamically constructed query with user-supplied parameters (column name, partitionBy clause), which could be misused for SQL injection or to trigger expensive queries on large tables.
From the tool's definition 'Calculate cumulative running total (SUM OVER)' — executes a window function query against the database; 'Use partitionBy to reset total per group' indicates parameterized SQL execution
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs pg_stats_running_total safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and PostgreSQL MCP Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For pg_stats_running_total, this is the rule to start with:
pg_stats_running_total stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect PostgreSQL MCP Server, apply this rule, and every pg_stats_running_total call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about pg_stats_running_total
Calculate cumulative running total (SUM OVER) for a numeric column. Use partitionBy to reset total per group. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for pg_stats_running_total: 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 PostgreSQL MCP Server. Nothing to install.
pg_stats_running_total is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the pg_stats_running_total 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 pg_stats_running_total. 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.
pg_stats_running_total is provided by the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP server (@neverinfamous/postgres-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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