AI agents call list-tables to retrieve information from Sql without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries database metadata to enumerate tables and views. It performs a read-only operation with no side effects, no code execution, no data modification, and no destructive capability. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an attacker gains schema visibility but cannot access, modify, or delete data through this tool alone.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list-tables' and description 'List all tables and views in the current database' indicate a retrieval operation with no modification or deletion of data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List all tables and views in the current database. Requires an active connection. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Sql MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Sql MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list-tables: 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 Sql. Nothing to install.
list-tables 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-tables 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-tables. 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-tables is provided by the Sql MCP server (nakiriyuuzu/sql-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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