notion_retrieve_database

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why notion_retrieve_database needs a policy

This tool retrieves database metadata and structure from Notion without creating, modifying, or deleting any data. It has no side effects and serves an informational purpose, making it a Read-category tool with low severity.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'notion_retrieve_database' and description 'Retrieve a database in Notion' indicate a read-only operation. The verb 'retrieve' retrieves or queries data without modifying or deleting it.

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

POLICY

How to control notion_retrieve_database

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

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "notion_retrieve_database": {}
  }
}

notion_retrieve_database is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Notion MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Notion MCP Server tools

Destructive notion_delete_block Delete a block in Notion. Write notion_append_block_children Append children blocks to a block in Notion. Write notion_create_comment Create a new comment in Notion. Write notion_create_database Create a new database in Notion. Write notion_create_page Create a new page in Notion. Write notion_update_block Update a block in Notion. Write notion_update_database Update a database in Notion. Write notion_update_page Update a page in Notion.

All 21 Notion MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about notion_retrieve_database

What does the notion_retrieve_database tool do? +

Retrieve a database in Notion. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Notion MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on notion_retrieve_database? +

Register the Notion MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for notion_retrieve_database: 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 Notion MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is notion_retrieve_database? +

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

Can I rate-limit notion_retrieve_database? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the notion_retrieve_database 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 notion_retrieve_database completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for notion_retrieve_database. 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 notion_retrieve_database? +

notion_retrieve_database is provided by the Notion MCP Server MCP server (orbit-logistics/notion-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 Notion MCP Server tool call.

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

CHECK YOUR STACK →