Get random sample documents from a collection
AI agents call sample to retrieve information from MongoDB MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The 'sample' tool retrieves and returns sample documents from a MongoDB collection without altering, deleting, or executing arbitrary code. This is a passive Read operation that queries data and returns results. No side effects or irreversible actions are possible.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Get random sample documents from a collection' — a retrieval operation with no modification or deletion of data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get random sample documents from a collection. It is categorised as a Read tool in the MongoDB MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the MongoDB MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for sample: 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 MongoDB MCP Server. Nothing to install.
sample 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 sample 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 sample. 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.
sample is provided by the MongoDB MCP Server MCP server (ryaker/mongodb-mcp-server). 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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