Describe a table's schema. Use 'database.table' format for Glue.
AI agents call describe_table to retrieve information from Duckdb Iceberg without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a metadata read operation that returns schema information (columns, types, constraints, etc.) from the Glue Data Catalog. It has no side effects, does not execute arbitrary code, does not modify data, and does not delete anything. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an AI agent could discover table structures it shouldn't know about, but cannot access data values or cause operational harm.
From the tool's definition The tool 'describe_table' with description 'Describe a table's schema' retrieves metadata about table structure without modifying, deleting, or executing operations. It performs a read-only query operation.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Describe a table's schema. Use 'database.table' format for Glue. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Duckdb Iceberg MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Duckdb Iceberg 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 Duckdb Iceberg. 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 Duckdb Iceberg MCP server (ys1173/duckdb-iceberg-mcp). 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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