AI agents call describe_data to retrieve information from Arcmap without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only queries and returns metadata about a dataset on disk without side effects. It does not create, modify, delete, or execute operations. It is a read-only introspection capability, consistent with the 'Read' category for tools that retrieve or query data with no side effects.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_data' and description indicate it 'Describe[s] a dataset': retrieves metadata about a dataset including type, CRS (coordinate reference system), and geometry. No modification, deletion, or execution of operations occurs.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Describe un dataset EN DISCO (no necesita estar en el mapa): tipo, CRS, geometría,. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Arcmap MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Arcmap MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_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 Arcmap. Nothing to install.
describe_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 describe_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 describe_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.
describe_data is provided by the Arcmap MCP server (pedralcg/arcmap-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
describe_data is one line of Arcmap's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →