Low Risk

PostgreSQL_list_databases

List all databases in the PostgreSQL cluster.

How to control PostgreSQL_list_databases ↓

What PostgreSQL_list_databases does on Postgres

AI agents call PostgreSQL_list_databases to retrieve information from Postgres without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Low Risk

Why PostgreSQL_list_databases needs a policy

This tool retrieves metadata about existing databases without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a read-only query operation with minimal blast radius if misused by an AI agent.

From the tool's definition Tool name includes 'list' and description states 'List all databases' — a query operation with no modification or side effects.

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

How to control PostgreSQL_list_databases

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

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

PostgreSQL_list_databases 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 Postgres — 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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Questions about PostgreSQL_list_databases

What does the PostgreSQL_list_databases tool do? +

List all databases in the PostgreSQL cluster. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Postgres MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on PostgreSQL_list_databases? +

Register the Postgres MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for PostgreSQL_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 Postgres. Nothing to install.

What risk level is PostgreSQL_list_databases? +

PostgreSQL_list_databases is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit PostgreSQL_list_databases? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the PostgreSQL_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.

How do I block PostgreSQL_list_databases completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for PostgreSQL_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.

What MCP server provides PostgreSQL_list_databases? +

PostgreSQL_list_databases is provided by the Postgres MCP server (mukul975/postgres-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Postgres tool call.

Start from Postgres, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

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239 Postgres tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.

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