Describe a model, table, or knowledge base. Returns column information and structure.
AI agents call describe to retrieve information from MindsDB MySQL MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool retrieves and returns schema/structural information about models, tables, or knowledge bases. It has no side effects—it neither modifies data, executes external operations, deletes resources, nor affects financial systems. The blast radius of misuse is minimal; an agent querying schema information cannot cause harm beyond information disclosure.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe' and description 'Returns column information and structure' indicate retrieval of metadata without modification. This is a read-only operation analogous to SQL DESCRIBE or SHOW COLUMNS commands.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Describe a model, table, or knowledge base. Returns column information and structure. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MindsDB MySQL MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MindsDB MySQL MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe: 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 MindsDB MySQL MCP Server. Nothing to install.
describe 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 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. 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 is provided by the MindsDB MySQL MCP Server MCP server (nikhgupta/mindsdb-mysql-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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