AI agents call sample_data to retrieve information from Mssql without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
limit | number | — | Number of rows to return (default: 10, max: 100) |
schema | string | — | Schema name (default: dbo) |
tableName | string | Yes | Name of the table to sample |
connectionName | string | — | Named connection to use (e.g., 'production', 'staging') |
connectionString | string | — | SQL Server connection string (uses default if not provided) |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
This tool only reads and retrieves a limited subset of data from a table without modifying, deleting, or executing arbitrary operations. It is a safe read-only query operation typical of database exploration and analysis.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'sample_data' and description states 'Retrieve sample data from a table (top 10 rows by default)'. The verb 'Retrieve' and the read-only nature of fetching sample rows confirms this is a data query operation with no side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Retrieve sample data from a table (top 10 rows by default). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mssql MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
sample_data accepts 5 parameters: limit, schema, tableName, connectionName, connectionString. Required: tableName. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Mssql MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for sample_data: 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 Mssql. Nothing to install.
sample_data 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 sample_data 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 sample_data. 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.
sample_data is provided by the Mssql MCP server (mssql-mcp-server). 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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