Get the execution plan for a query
AI agents call execute_explain to retrieve information from PostgreSQL MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
EXPLAIN/EXPLAIN ANALYZE retrieves the optimizer's execution plan. It does not modify data. Even EXPLAIN ANALYZE runs the query internally but its primary effect is read-only plan output. Severity is low because misuse only reveals query structure and performance metadata.
From the tool's definition 'Get the execution plan for a query' — EXPLAIN shows the query plan without executing the underlying DML
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get the execution plan for a query. It is categorised as a Read tool in the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for execute_explain: 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 PostgreSQL MCP Server. Nothing to install.
execute_explain 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 execute_explain 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 execute_explain. 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.
execute_explain is provided by the PostgreSQL MCP Server MCP server (reckersai/mcpg). 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.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →