diff --git a/datasette/stored_queries.py b/datasette/stored_queries.py
index fd1cabf3..b5aea221 100644
--- a/datasette/stored_queries.py
+++ b/datasette/stored_queries.py
@@ -713,6 +713,11 @@ def operation_should_be_ignored(operation: Operation) -> bool:
 def operation_forbidden_message(operation: Operation) -> str | None:
     if operation.operation == "vacuum":
         return "VACUUM is not allowed in user-supplied SQL"
+    if operation.operation in {"insert", "update", "delete"}:
+        if operation.table_kind == "virtual":
+            return "Writes to virtual tables are not allowed in user-supplied SQL"
+        if operation.table_kind == "shadow":
+            return "Writes to shadow tables are not allowed in user-supplied SQL"
     return None
 
 
diff --git a/datasette/utils/sql_analysis.py b/datasette/utils/sql_analysis.py
index f2eb903f..a71fa315 100644
--- a/datasette/utils/sql_analysis.py
+++ b/datasette/utils/sql_analysis.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Literal
 
-from datasette.utils.sqlite import sqlite3
+from datasette.utils.sqlite import SQLiteTableType, sqlite3, sqlite_table_type
 
 SQLOperation = Literal[
     "read",
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ SQLTargetType = Literal[
 SQLTableOperation = Literal["read", "insert", "update", "delete"]
 SQLSchemaOperation = Literal["create", "drop"]
 SQLSchemaTargetType = Literal["index", "table", "trigger", "view", "virtual-table"]
+SQLTableKind = SQLiteTableType
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ class Operation:
     database: str | None
     table: str | None
     sqlite_schema: str | None
+    table_kind: SQLTableKind | None = None
     target: str | None = None
     columns: tuple[str, ...] = ()
     source: str | None = None
@@ -500,6 +502,22 @@ def analyze_sql_tables(
             return True
         return False
 
+    table_kind_cache: dict[tuple[str | None, str], SQLTableKind | None] = {}
+
+    def table_kind_for(key: OperationKey) -> SQLTableKind | None:
+        if (
+            key.target_type != "table"
+            or key.operation not in {"read", "insert", "update", "delete"}
+            or key.table is None
+        ):
+            return None
+        cache_key = (key.sqlite_schema, key.table)
+        if cache_key not in table_kind_cache:
+            table_kind_cache[cache_key] = sqlite_table_type(
+                conn, key.table, schema=key.sqlite_schema
+            )
+        return table_kind_cache[cache_key]
+
     return SQLAnalysis(
         operations=tuple(
             Operation(
@@ -508,6 +526,7 @@ def analyze_sql_tables(
                 database=key.database,
                 table=key.table,
                 sqlite_schema=key.sqlite_schema,
+                table_kind=table_kind_for(key),
                 target=key.target,
                 columns=tuple(sorted(columns)),
                 source=key.source,
diff --git a/datasette/utils/sqlite.py b/datasette/utils/sqlite.py
index d0a2d783..130c5f62 100644
--- a/datasette/utils/sqlite.py
+++ b/datasette/utils/sqlite.py
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+import re
+from typing import Literal
+
 using_pysqlite3 = False
 try:
     import pysqlite3 as sqlite3
@@ -10,6 +13,18 @@ if hasattr(sqlite3, "enable_callback_tracebacks"):
     sqlite3.enable_callback_tracebacks(True)
 
 _cached_sqlite_version = None
+SQLiteTableType = Literal["table", "view", "virtual", "shadow"]
+_VIRTUAL_TABLE_MODULE_RE = re.compile(
+    r"\bCREATE\s+VIRTUAL\s+TABLE\b.*?\bUSING\s+([^\s(]+)",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+_VIRTUAL_TABLE_SHADOW_SUFFIXES = {
+    "fts3": ("_content", "_segdir", "_segments", "_stat", "_docsize"),
+    "fts4": ("_content", "_segdir", "_segments", "_stat", "_docsize"),
+    "fts5": ("_data", "_idx", "_docsize", "_content", "_config"),
+    "rtree": ("_node", "_parent", "_rowid"),
+    "rtree_i32": ("_node", "_parent", "_rowid"),
+}
 
 
 def sqlite_version():
@@ -36,5 +51,102 @@ def supports_table_xinfo():
     return sqlite_version() >= (3, 26, 0)
 
 
+def supports_table_list():
+    return sqlite_version() >= (3, 37, 0)
+
+
 def supports_generated_columns():
     return sqlite_version() >= (3, 31, 0)
+
+
+def sqlite_table_type(
+    conn,
+    table: str,
+    *,
+    schema: str | None = "main",
+) -> SQLiteTableType | None:
+    if supports_table_list():
+        try:
+            query = "select type from pragma_table_list where name = ?"
+            params: tuple[str, ...] = (table,)
+            if schema is not None:
+                query += " and schema = ?"
+                params = (table, schema)
+            row = conn.execute(query, params).fetchone()
+            if row is not None and row[0] in {"table", "view", "virtual", "shadow"}:
+                return row[0]
+        except sqlite3.DatabaseError:
+            pass
+    return _sqlite_table_type_from_schema(conn, table, schema=schema)
+
+
+def _sqlite_table_type_from_schema(
+    conn,
+    table: str,
+    *,
+    schema: str | None = "main",
+) -> SQLiteTableType | None:
+    schema_table = _sqlite_schema_table(schema)
+    try:
+        row = conn.execute(
+            "select type, sql from {} where name = ?".format(schema_table),
+            (table,),
+        ).fetchone()
+    except sqlite3.DatabaseError:
+        return None
+    if row is None:
+        return None
+    object_type, sql = row
+    if object_type == "view":
+        return "view"
+    if object_type != "table":
+        return None
+    if _virtual_table_module(sql) is not None:
+        return "virtual"
+    if _is_known_shadow_table(conn, table, schema=schema):
+        return "shadow"
+    return "table"
+
+
+def _is_known_shadow_table(
+    conn,
+    table: str,
+    *,
+    schema: str | None = "main",
+) -> bool:
+    schema_table = _sqlite_schema_table(schema)
+    try:
+        rows = conn.execute(
+            "select name, sql from {} where type = 'table'".format(schema_table)
+        ).fetchall()
+    except sqlite3.DatabaseError:
+        return False
+    for virtual_table, sql in rows:
+        module = _virtual_table_module(sql)
+        if module is None:
+            continue
+        for suffix in _VIRTUAL_TABLE_SHADOW_SUFFIXES.get(module, ()):
+            if table == virtual_table + suffix:
+                return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _sqlite_schema_table(schema: str | None) -> str:
+    if schema is None or schema == "main":
+        return "sqlite_master"
+    if schema == "temp":
+        return "sqlite_temp_master"
+    return "{}.sqlite_master".format(_quote_identifier(schema))
+
+
+def _quote_identifier(value: str) -> str:
+    return '"{}"'.format(value.replace('"', '""'))
+
+
+def _virtual_table_module(sql: str | None) -> str | None:
+    if not sql:
+        return None
+    match = _VIRTUAL_TABLE_MODULE_RE.search(sql)
+    if match is None:
+        return None
+    return match.group(1).strip("\"'[]`").lower()
diff --git a/tests/test_queries.py b/tests/test_queries.py
index b6e1637d..73f8f3cf 100644
--- a/tests/test_queries.py
+++ b/tests/test_queries.py
@@ -2193,6 +2193,159 @@ async def test_trusted_stored_write_query_skips_vacuum_filtering():
     assert response.json()["ok"] is True
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_execute_write_rejects_virtual_table_control_insert():
+    ds = Datasette(memory=True, default_deny=True)
+    ds.root_enabled = True
+    db = ds.add_memory_database("execute_write_virtual_table_control", name="data")
+    await db.execute_write("""
+        create virtual table docs using fts5(title, body, content='')
+    """)
+    await db.execute_write("""
+        insert into docs(rowid, title, body) values (1, 'hello', 'world')
+    """)
+    await ds.invoke_startup()
+
+    denied_response = await ds.client.post(
+        "/data/-/execute-write",
+        actor={"id": "root"},
+        json={"sql": "insert into docs(docs) values('delete-all')"},
+    )
+
+    assert denied_response.status_code == 403
+    assert denied_response.json()["errors"] == [
+        "Writes to virtual tables are not allowed in user-supplied SQL"
+    ]
+    assert (
+        await db.execute("select count(*) from docs where docs match 'hello'")
+    ).first()[0] == 1
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_execute_write_rejects_regular_virtual_table_insert():
+    ds = Datasette(memory=True, default_deny=True)
+    ds.root_enabled = True
+    db = ds.add_memory_database("execute_write_virtual_table_insert", name="data")
+    await db.execute_write("create virtual table docs using fts5(title, body)")
+    await ds.invoke_startup()
+
+    denied_response = await ds.client.post(
+        "/data/-/execute-write",
+        actor={"id": "root"},
+        json={"sql": "insert into docs(rowid, title, body) values (1, 'a', 'b')"},
+    )
+
+    assert denied_response.status_code == 403
+    assert denied_response.json()["errors"] == [
+        "Writes to virtual tables are not allowed in user-supplied SQL"
+    ]
+    assert (await db.execute("select count(*) from docs")).first()[0] == 0
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_execute_write_rejects_shadow_table_insert():
+    ds = Datasette(memory=True, default_deny=True)
+    ds.root_enabled = True
+    db = ds.add_memory_database("execute_write_shadow_table_insert", name="data")
+    await db.execute_write("create virtual table docs using fts5(title, body)")
+    await ds.invoke_startup()
+
+    denied_response = await ds.client.post(
+        "/data/-/execute-write",
+        actor={"id": "root"},
+        json={"sql": "insert into docs_config(k, v) values ('x', 1)"},
+    )
+
+    assert denied_response.status_code == 403
+    assert denied_response.json()["errors"] == [
+        "Writes to shadow tables are not allowed in user-supplied SQL"
+    ]
+    assert (await db.execute("select count(*) from docs_config")).first()[0] == 1
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_untrusted_stored_write_query_rejects_virtual_table_control_insert():
+    ds = Datasette(memory=True, default_deny=True)
+    ds.root_enabled = True
+    db = ds.add_memory_database("stored_query_virtual_table_control", name="data")
+    await db.execute_write("""
+        create virtual table docs using fts5(title, body, content='')
+    """)
+    await db.execute_write("""
+        insert into docs(rowid, title, body) values (1, 'hello', 'world')
+    """)
+    await ds.invoke_startup()
+    await ds.add_query(
+        "data",
+        "delete_all_docs",
+        "insert into docs(docs) values('delete-all')",
+        is_write=True,
+        is_trusted=False,
+        source="user",
+        owner_id="root",
+    )
+
+    denied_response = await ds.client.post(
+        "/data/delete_all_docs?_json=1",
+        actor={"id": "root"},
+        data={},
+    )
+
+    assert denied_response.status_code == 403
+    assert denied_response.json()["message"] == (
+        "Writes to virtual tables are not allowed in user-supplied SQL"
+    )
+    assert (
+        await db.execute("select count(*) from docs where docs match 'hello'")
+    ).first()[0] == 1
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_trusted_stored_write_query_can_write_virtual_table():
+    ds = Datasette(
+        memory=True,
+        default_deny=True,
+        config={
+            "databases": {
+                "data": {
+                    "permissions": {
+                        "view-database": {"id": "writer"},
+                        "view-query": {"id": "writer"},
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        },
+    )
+    db = ds.add_memory_database("trusted_stored_query_virtual_table", name="data")
+    await db.execute_write("""
+        create virtual table docs using fts5(title, body, content='')
+    """)
+    await db.execute_write("""
+        insert into docs(rowid, title, body) values (1, 'hello', 'world')
+    """)
+    await ds.invoke_startup()
+    await ds.add_query(
+        "data",
+        "trusted_delete_all",
+        "insert into docs(docs) values('delete-all')",
+        is_write=True,
+        is_trusted=True,
+        source="config",
+    )
+
+    response = await ds.client.post(
+        "/data/trusted_delete_all?_json=1",
+        actor={"id": "writer"},
+        data={},
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert response.json()["ok"] is True
+    assert (
+        await db.execute("select count(*) from docs where docs match 'hello'")
+    ).first()[0] == 0
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_execute_write_create_table_uses_create_table_permission():
     ds = Datasette(
diff --git a/tests/test_utils.py b/tests/test_utils.py
index 3fcb623e..e142bb5b 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Tests for various datasette helper functions.
 from datasette.app import Datasette
 from datasette import utils
 from datasette.utils.asgi import Request
-from datasette.utils.sqlite import sqlite3
+from datasette.utils.sqlite import sqlite3, sqlite_table_type
 import json
 import os
 import pathlib
@@ -226,6 +226,49 @@ def test_detect_fts_different_table_names(table):
     conn.close()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("use_fallback", (False, True))
+def test_sqlite_table_type_detects_virtual_and_shadow_tables(monkeypatch, use_fallback):
+    if use_fallback:
+        monkeypatch.setattr("datasette.utils.sqlite.sqlite_version", lambda: (3, 25, 0))
+    conn = utils.sqlite3.connect(":memory:")
+    try:
+        conn.executescript("""
+            create table dogs(id integer primary key, name text);
+            create view dog_names as select name from dogs;
+            create virtual table search_index using fts5(title, body);
+            create virtual table boxes using rtree(id, minx, maxx, miny, maxy);
+        """)
+
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "dogs") == "table"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "dog_names") == "view"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "search_index") == "virtual"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "search_index_config") == "shadow"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "boxes") == "virtual"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "boxes_node") == "shadow"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "missing") is None
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("use_fallback", (False, True))
+def test_sqlite_table_type_detects_attached_database_tables(monkeypatch, use_fallback):
+    if use_fallback:
+        monkeypatch.setattr("datasette.utils.sqlite.sqlite_version", lambda: (3, 25, 0))
+    conn = utils.sqlite3.connect(":memory:")
+    try:
+        conn.executescript("""
+            attach database ':memory:' as extra;
+            create table extra.cats(id integer primary key, name text);
+            create virtual table extra.cat_search using fts5(name);
+        """)
+
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "cats", schema="extra") == "table"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "cat_search", schema="extra") == "virtual"
+        assert sqlite_table_type(conn, "cat_search_data", schema="extra") == "shadow"
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "url,expected",
     [
diff --git a/tests/test_utils_sql_analysis.py b/tests/test_utils_sql_analysis.py
index df4b3625..979ff9e1 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils_sql_analysis.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils_sql_analysis.py
@@ -260,6 +260,53 @@ def test_analyze_create_virtual_table_operation():
     } in [operation_dict(operation) for operation in analysis.operations]
 
 
+def test_analyze_table_kind_for_regular_virtual_and_shadow_tables():
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(":memory:")
+    try:
+        conn.executescript("""
+            create table dogs (id integer primary key, name text);
+            create virtual table docs using fts5(title, body, content='');
+        """)
+
+        regular_analysis = analyze_sql_tables(
+            conn,
+            "insert into dogs (name) values ('Cleo')",
+            database_name="data",
+        )
+        virtual_analysis = analyze_sql_tables(
+            conn,
+            "insert into docs(docs) values('delete-all')",
+            database_name="data",
+        )
+        shadow_analysis = analyze_sql_tables(
+            conn,
+            "insert into docs_config(k, v) values ('x', 1)",
+            database_name="data",
+        )
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+
+    regular_insert = next(
+        operation
+        for operation in regular_analysis.operations
+        if operation.operation == "insert" and operation.table == "dogs"
+    )
+    virtual_insert = next(
+        operation
+        for operation in virtual_analysis.operations
+        if operation.operation == "insert" and operation.table == "docs"
+    )
+    shadow_insert = next(
+        operation
+        for operation in shadow_analysis.operations
+        if operation.operation == "insert" and operation.table == "docs_config"
+    )
+
+    assert regular_insert.table_kind == "table"
+    assert virtual_insert.table_kind == "virtual"
+    assert shadow_insert.table_kind == "shadow"
+
+
 def test_analyze_create_table_as_select_function_is_not_internal():
     conn = sqlite3.connect(":memory:")
     try: