Analyze the dependency graph of a measure or column using INFO.CALCDEPENDENCY: upstream (what it depends on) and downstream (what depends on it). Use before renaming or deleting to see what would break.
AI agents call scan_measure_dependencies to retrieve information from Power BI MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a read-only analysis tool that queries and returns dependency graph information. It retrieves metadata about relationships between measures and columns without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any changes to the data model. The low severity reflects minimal risk even if misused, as it only surfaces information and does not alter state.
From the tool's definition The tool 'scan_measure_dependencies' analyzes and retrieves dependency information using INFO.CALCDEPENDENCY to show 'upstream (what it depends on) and downstream (what depends on it)'.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Analyze the dependency graph of a measure or column using INFO.CALCDEPENDENCY: upstream (what it depends on) and downstream (what depends on it). Use before renaming or deleting to see what would break. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Power BI MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Power BI MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for scan_measure_dependencies: 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 Power BI MCP Server. Nothing to install.
scan_measure_dependencies 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 scan_measure_dependencies 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 scan_measure_dependencies. 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.
scan_measure_dependencies is provided by the Power BI MCP Server MCP server (sulaiman013/powerbi-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.