List tables on a ServiceNow instance with optional filtering. Returns table name,
AI agents call list_instance_tables to retrieve information from Now Sdk Ext without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves metadata about available tables in a ServiceNow instance. It performs a read-only operation that lists existing tables and their names, with no capability to modify, delete, execute code, or trigger side effects. The low severity reflects that accidental misuse would only expose schema information, not data loss or unauthorized operations.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_instance_tables' and description 'List tables on a ServiceNow instance with optional filtering. Returns table name' indicate a retrieval operation with no modification, deletion, or execution of code.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access list_instance_tables gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Now Sdk Ext, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for list_instance_tables:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"list_instance_tables": {}
}
}list_instance_tables is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List tables on a ServiceNow instance with optional filtering. Returns table name,. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Now Sdk Ext MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Now Sdk Ext MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_instance_tables: 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 Now Sdk Ext. Nothing to install.
list_instance_tables 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 list_instance_tables 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 list_instance_tables. 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.
list_instance_tables is provided by the Now Sdk Ext MCP server (sonisoft-cnanda/now-sdk-ext-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Now Sdk Ext, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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86 Now Sdk Ext tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.