Neo4j APOC Write Operations: Why You're Getting the "Not Allowed" Error and How to Fix It
If you're working with Neo4j's APOC (Awesome Procedures on Cypher) library and encountering the error message "Write operations are not allowed for user 'neo4j' with FULL restricted to READ," you're not alone. This common issue arises when trying to perform write operations (like creating, updating, or deleting nodes/relationships) while using the default neo4j user, whose privileges are typically limited to read-only access.
Understanding the Problem
Neo4j employs a robust security model to protect your graph database. The neo4j user, created during installation, is given a FULL privilege that's restricted to READ by default. This means that, while the user has the potential for full access, it's intentionally locked down for security reasons, allowing only read operations.
The Scenario and Code
Let's imagine you're trying to use APOC to create a new node within your database:
CALL apoc.create.node(["Person"], {name: "Alice"})
YIELD node;
Running this code with the neo4j user will result in the error:
Write operations are not allowed for user 'neo4j' with FULL restricted to READ.
Analysis and Clarification
This error message indicates that the user attempting the operation (in this case, neo4j) lacks the necessary write privileges. APOC procedures, like apoc.create.node, require write access to modify the database structure.
The Solution: Granting Write Permissions
There are two primary approaches to resolve this:
-
Use a User with Write Permissions: Create a new user specifically for write operations. This user can be granted
FULLprivileges withWRITEenabled. This is generally the recommended practice for proper database security.CREATE USER my_writer WITH PASSWORD "my_password"; GRANT FULL WITH WRITE ON * TO my_writer; -
Modify Existing User Permissions: If absolutely necessary, you can grant write access to the
neo4juser by modifying its privileges. However, this is generally not recommended for security reasons.ALTER USER neo4j SET FULL WITH WRITE ON *;
Important Considerations
- Security: Prioritize using separate users with specific privileges for read and write operations. This fosters a more secure environment and reduces the risk of accidental modifications.
- Best Practices: Avoid modifying the
neo4juser's privileges unless absolutely essential. - Production Environments: Exercise extreme caution when granting write access in production settings.
Additional Value: Optimizing Performance
While not directly related to the error message, consider using APOC's optimized write procedures for improved performance, especially when handling large datasets.
Resources:
Conclusion:
Understanding the security model behind Neo4j's user privileges is crucial when working with APOC. By employing the recommended practices of using separate users with appropriate permissions, you can avoid this error and ensure your database remains secure while effectively utilizing the powerful capabilities of APOC.
