IAM Users Should Not Have IAM Policies Attached Rule
This rule specifies that IAM users should not have IAM policies attached as a security measure.
| Rule | IAM users should not have IAM policies attached |
| Framework | AWS Foundational Security Best Practices |
| Severity | ✔ Low |
Rule Description:
IAM users in AWS should not have IAM policies explicitly attached for AWS Foundational Security Best Practices. This rule ensures that IAM users do not have unnecessary permissions and follows the best practices defined by AWS for ensuring a secure environment.
Troubleshooting Steps (if applicable):
If an IAM user has an IAM policy attached for AWS Foundational Security Best Practices, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- 1.Identify the IAM user with the attached policy using the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
- 2.Review the IAM policy to understand the specific permissions it grants.
- 3.Verify if the IAM user actually requires those permissions for their intended role and responsibilities.
- 4.If the permissions are not necessary, consider removing the IAM policy from the user.
Necessary Codes (if applicable):
No specific code is required for this rule as it involves managing IAM policies through the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation:
Follow these steps to remediate the issue of having IAM policies explicitly attached for AWS Foundational Security Best Practices:
- 1.
Log in to the AWS Management Console or open the AWS CLI.
- 2.
Go to the IAM service.
- 3.
In the navigation pane, click on "Users".
- 4.
Search for the specific IAM user with the attached policy by typing the user's name in the search field.
- 5.
Click on the user's name to open the details.
- 6.
In the "Permissions" tab, locate the "Attached permissions policies" section.
- 7.
Review the policies listed under "Attached permissions policies" and identify the policy related to AWS Foundational Security Best Practices.
- 8.
Evaluate whether the policy is required for the user's role and responsibilities. If not, proceed to the next step.
- 9.
To remove the policy, click on the "x" icon next to the policy name.
- 10.
A confirmation pop-up will appear. Review the details and click on "Detach".
- 11.
Once the policy is detached, review the user's permissions to ensure they have the necessary access for their role while following AWS best practices.
- 12.
Repeat the process for other IAM users who have the same issue.
Additional Notes:
- 1.
Removing unnecessary IAM policies helps to minimize potential security risks by limiting permissions to only what is required for each IAM user.
- 2.
Regularly reviewing and managing IAM policies is a recommended security practice to ensure that users have the correct permissions over time.
- 3.
It is crucial to strike a balance between providing necessary access to users and limiting access based on the principle of least privilege.
- 4.
Consider implementing automated processes or using AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) features like IAM roles and Security Groups to further enhance security and reduce the reliance on individual IAM policies.