---
issue: 030
title: "POST /api/payment/payments/cleanup-pending admin check is inside handler only — no middleware-level enforcement"
severity: major
domain: Admin
labels: [security, bug, backend, major, missing-auth]
status: open
created: 2026-05-29
source: Doc vs Code Audit 2026-05-29
---

# 🟠 POST /api/payment/payments/cleanup-pending admin check is inside handler only — no middleware-level enforcement

**Severity:** major
**Domain:** Admin
**Labels:** security, bug, backend, major, missing-auth

## Description

POST /api/payment/payments/cleanup-pending registers only authenticateToken at the route level. Admin check is inside the handler. Any authenticated non-admin who discovers this endpoint can attempt to call it; the in-handler check is the only defense against unauthorized bulk deletion of pending payments.

## Current Behavior

Non-admin authenticated users can call the endpoint; admin gate fires inside handler code rather than at middleware level.

## Expected Behavior

Apply authorizeRoles('admin') middleware at the route level before the handler runs.

## Affected Files

- `backend/src/routes/paymentRoutes.ts`

## References

- [Doc vs Code Audit Report](../09%20-%20Audits/Doc%20vs%20Code%20Audit%20Report%20-%202026-05-29.md)