AI agents call select_rows to retrieve information from Postgres without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool only reads/queries data from a PostgreSQL table using SELECT, which is a non-destructive read operation. Severity is medium rather than low because it has access to a PostgreSQL database that may contain sensitive data, and the optional WHERE clause means it could potentially retrieve large amounts of sensitive information if misused.
From the tool's definition SELECT rows from a table with an optional WHERE clause and row limit
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
SELECT rows from a table with an optional WHERE clause and row limit. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Postgres MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Postgres MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for select_rows: 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 Postgres. Nothing to install.
select_rows 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 select_rows 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 select_rows. 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.
select_rows is provided by the Postgres MCP server (santisanti13/postgres-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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