@neo4j/graphql from 5.2.0 until the patched versions fails to enforce field-level @authentication rules on root custom-resolver fields when a type-level @authentication rule is also present on the same operation type. When both a type-level @authentication (on Query/Mutation) and a field-level @authentication (on a root custom-resolver field within that type) are declared, only the type-level rule is evaluated and the field-level rule is silently discarded. As a result a stricter per-field requirement — such as an admin-role JWT claim (jwt: { roles_INCLUDES: "admin" }) — is never checked, and any client that satisfies the coarser type-level requirement can invoke the more-restricted field. No token forgery is involved: a legitimately issued, correctly signed non-admin token (e.g. roles: ["user"]) is sufficient.
The application enables features.authorization and defines a root operation type (Query/Mutation) annotated with @authentication that also contains one or more custom-resolver fields carrying their own, stricter @authentication rule.
Upgrade the library to 7.5.7+ or 5.12.15+. v6 is end-of-life and will not receive a fix. v5 releases prior to 5.2.0 are not affected.
For users who cannot upgrade immediately: do not combine a type-level @authentication with a field-level @authentication on the same root operation type. Because the type-level annotation is what shadows the field-level rule, removing it restores correct enforcement — instead apply a complete @authentication directive to each root field individually, including the full stricter rule on the sensitive field. Alternatively, enforce the stricter requirement inside the custom resolver's own code.