Get detailed information about a table including columns, data types, and constraints
AI agents call describe_table to retrieve information from Vertica MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves metadata about table structure (columns, data types, constraints) without querying data, modifying data, executing arbitrary code, deleting anything, or moving money. It is a read-only schema inspection operation with minimal blast radius if misused—worst case an AI agent learns table structure it shouldn't have access to, but no data loss or system compromise occurs.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'describe_table' and description states it 'Get detailed information about a table including columns, data types, and constraints'—purely retrieval of schema metadata with no modification or side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get detailed information about a table including columns, data types, and constraints. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Vertica MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Vertica MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for describe_table: 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 Vertica MCP Server. Nothing to install.
describe_table 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_table 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_table. 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_table is provided by the Vertica MCP Server MCP server (smith-nathanh/vertica-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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