describe_table

THE RISK

Low Risk

Why describe_table needs a policy

This tool retrieves schema information (column details) from a database table. It performs a read-only operation with no side effects, no code execution, and no data modification. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an attacker could enumerate table structures but cannot modify, delete, or execute arbitrary operations. Classification as Read is appropriate.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'describe_table' and description 'Get column information for a specific table' indicate a retrieval operation that queries metadata without modifying data.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access describe_table gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control describe_table

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Treasure Data MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for describe_table:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "describe_table": {}
  }
}

describe_table is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Treasure Data MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

CAP THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Treasure Data MCP Server tools

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All 23 Treasure Data MCP Server tools →

Read tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Data exfiltration → How read access becomes an exfiltration channel when chained with untrusted content.
MCP token cost → What connecting this server costs in context-window tokens on every request.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about describe_table

What does the describe_table tool do? +

Get column information for a specific table. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Treasure Data MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on describe_table? +

Register the Treasure Data 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 Treasure Data MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is describe_table? +

describe_table is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit describe_table? +

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.

How do I block describe_table completely? +

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.

What MCP server provides describe_table? +

describe_table is provided by the Treasure Data MCP Server MCP server (treasure-data/td-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Treasure Data MCP Server tool call.

Start from Treasure Data MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →