describe_uc_catalog

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why describe_uc_catalog needs a policy

This tool retrieves and presents metadata about a Unity Catalog catalog. It has no side effects—it only reads and returns information. No data is created, modified, deleted, or executed. This is a straightforward Read operation with minimal risk if misused by an AI agent.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_uc_catalog' and description 'Provide detailed information about a specific catalog' indicate a query/retrieval operation with no modification or deletion of data.

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

POLICY

How to control describe_uc_catalog

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

policy.json

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

describe_uc_catalog 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 Databricks 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

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All 86 Databricks MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

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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 describe_uc_catalog

What does the describe_uc_catalog tool do? +

Provide detailed information about a specific catalog. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Databricks MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on describe_uc_catalog? +

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

What risk level is describe_uc_catalog? +

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

Can I rate-limit describe_uc_catalog? +

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

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

describe_uc_catalog is provided by the Databricks MCP Server MCP server (pulkitxchadha/awesome-databricks-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Databricks MCP Server tool call.

Start from Databricks 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 →