View schema information for a specific table.
AI agents call describe_table to retrieve information from General-Purpose MCP Database Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and displays table schema information (columns, types, constraints, etc.) without creating, modifying, or deleting data. It is a read-only operation with no side effects. The low severity reflects minimal blast radius—schema disclosure could inform but not directly compromise data integrity.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_table' and description 'View schema information for a specific table' indicate retrieval of metadata without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
View schema information for a specific table. It is categorised as a Read tool in the General-Purpose MCP Database Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the General-Purpose MCP Database Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_table: 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 General-Purpose MCP Database Server. Nothing to install.
describe_table 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_table 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_table. 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_table is provided by the General-Purpose MCP Database Server MCP server (miekxd/general-database-fastmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
describe_table is one line of General-Purpose MCP Database Server's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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