Low Risk

list_tables

list_tables

How to control list_tables ↓

What list_tables does on MCP Server for Oracle Database

AI agents call list_tables to retrieve information from MCP Server for Oracle Database without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Low Risk

Why list_tables needs a policy

This tool retrieves database schema information (list of tables) without modifying, deleting, or executing arbitrary operations. It is a passive query with no side effects.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_tables' indicates retrieval of table metadata from the database; server description states the tool 'retrieve[s] results from Oracle Database'; the empty description does not contradict this as a read-only enumeration operation.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_tables gives an agent:

How to control list_tables

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and MCP Server for Oracle Database, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_tables:

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_tables": {}
  }
}

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

  1. Create a free account and register MCP Server for Oracle Database — nothing to install.
  2. Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
  3. Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.
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Related tools and policies

Go deeper

Questions about list_tables

What does the list_tables tool do? +

list_tables. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MCP Server for Oracle Database MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_tables? +

Register the MCP Server for Oracle Database 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 MCP Server for Oracle Database. 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 MCP Server for Oracle Database MCP server (kutsushitaneko/mcp-server-for-oracle-database). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every MCP Server for Oracle Database tool call.

Start from MCP Server for Oracle Database, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

Free to start. No card required.

3 MCP Server for Oracle Database tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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