Get complete database metadata including all table schemas and column information.
AI agents call describe_database to retrieve information from Datasette MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only retrieves and queries database metadata. It has no side effects, cannot modify data, execute code, delete information, or commit financial transactions. The server is explicitly read-only, and describing database schemas is a safe informational operation. Severity is low because metadata exposure has limited blast radius compared to actual data retrieval or code execution risks.
From the tool's definition Tool is explicitly described as providing 'read-only access' and 'describe_database' retrieves metadata about database structure (tables and columns) with no modification capability mentioned.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get complete database metadata including all table schemas and column information. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Datasette MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Datasette MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_database: 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 Datasette MCP. Nothing to install.
describe_database 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_database 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 describe_database. 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_database is provided by the Datasette MCP server (mhalle/datasette-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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