List all databases in a Datasette instance.
AI agents call list_databases 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 retrieves metadata about available databases without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It has no side effects and enables discovery of data sources. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius—an AI agent misusing this only discovers what databases exist, with no ability to access or alter their contents through this tool alone.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_databases' and server description states 'read-only access' and 'explore...data'. The tool lists databases with no modification capability.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all databases in a Datasette instance. 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 list_databases: 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.
list_databases 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 list_databases 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 list_databases. 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.
list_databases 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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