Introspection control in GraphQL - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is GraphQL introspection?

GraphQL introspection is a feature that lets clients ask a GraphQL server about its schema, types, and queries it supports. It helps tools and developers explore the API.

intermediate

Why might you want to control or disable introspection in GraphQL?

To improve security by hiding schema details from unauthorized users, reducing attack surface, and preventing exposure of sensitive API structure.

intermediate

How can you disable introspection in a GraphQL server?

You can disable introspection by intercepting introspection queries and returning errors or empty results, or by configuring server settings to block introspection queries.

beginner

What is a common introspection query in GraphQL?

A common introspection query is one that asks for __schema or __type fields to get details about the schema, types, fields, and directives supported by the server.

advanced

What is a safe way to allow introspection only for authorized users?

Implement authentication and authorization checks in the server to allow introspection queries only if the user has proper permissions, otherwise block or deny introspection.

What does GraphQL introspection allow you to do?

A Ask the server about its schema and types

B Modify the database directly

C Encrypt the API data

D Automatically generate client code

Introspection lets clients query the server for schema details, not modify data or encrypt it.

Why might disabling introspection improve security?

A It hides schema details from unauthorized users

B It speeds up query execution

C It encrypts all data sent to clients

D It prevents all queries from running

Disabling introspection hides schema info, reducing what attackers can learn about the API.

Which GraphQL field is commonly used in introspection queries?

A mutation

B query

C subscription

D __schema

__schema is a special field used to get schema details in introspection.

How can you restrict introspection to authorized users?

A Disable all queries except introspection

B Allow introspection only on weekends

C Check user permissions before allowing introspection queries

D Use introspection to authenticate users

Authorization checks ensure only permitted users can run introspection queries.

What happens if introspection is disabled on a GraphQL server?

A Clients get full schema details

B Introspection queries return errors or no data

C The server crashes

D All queries fail

Disabling introspection causes introspection queries to fail or return empty results.

Explain what GraphQL introspection is and why controlling it matters.

Think about how introspection helps and what risks it might bring.

Describe methods to control or disable introspection in a GraphQL server.

Consider both technical and security approaches.