IAM Root User No Access Keys Rule
This rule ensures IAM root user does not have access keys, enhancing security measures.
| Rule | IAM root user should not have access keys |
| Framework | NIST 800-53 Revision 5 |
| Severity | ✔ Medium |
Rule Description
The IAM root user should not have any access keys associated with it to comply with NIST 800-53 Revision 5 security standards. This rule ensures that the credentials for the root user, which have unrestricted access to the entire AWS account, are not exposed or misused.
Troubleshooting Steps
If access keys are found for the IAM root user, it indicates a potential security vulnerability. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and rectify the issue:
- 1.Log in to the AWS Management Console with root user credentials.
- 2.Open the IAM service from the service menu.
- 3.Click on "Users" in the left navigation pane.
- 4.Search for the root user in the list of users.
- 5.Click on the root user to access its details.
- 6.Check if any Access Key(s) are associated with the root user.
If access keys are found: 7. Click on the "Security credentials" tab. 8. In the "Access keys" section, select the access key. 9. Click on "Delete Access Key" and confirm the deletion when prompted. 10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for any additional access keys.
Remediation Steps
If access keys were found during troubleshooting, follow the steps below to remediate the issue and ensure compliance with NIST 800-53 Rev 5:
- 1.
Restrict AWS account access through the IAM root user.
- Grant the necessary permissions to IAM users, groups, or roles instead of using the root user for day-to-day activities.
- 2.
Rotate or disable any existing access keys associated with the root user.
- Generate new access keys if required by following the AWS documentation on creating access keys.
- Update the necessary services or applications to use the new access keys, if applicable.
- Ensure the old access keys are disabled or removed from any service or application using them.
- 3.
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the IAM root user.
- Set up MFA on the root user account to provide an additional layer of security.
- Follow the AWS documentation for configuring MFA for the root user.
- 4.
Regularly monitor and review IAM users and their access.
- Regularly review IAM policies, groups, and user permissions to ensure they align with the least privilege principle.
- Remove unnecessary access or permissions from IAM users.
- Conduct periodic audits to detect any misuse or improper access.
CLI Commands (if applicable)
If you prefer using the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) to remediate the issue, you can use the following commands:
- 1.To list the root user access keys:
aws iam list-access-keys --user-name <root_user_name>
- 1.To delete an access key associated with the root user:
aws iam delete-access-key --access-key-id <access_key_id> --user-name <root_user_name>
- 1.To create a new access key for the root user:
aws iam create-access-key --user-name <root_user_name>
Note: Replace
<root_user_name><access_key_id>Remember to follow the necessary security and best practices when using CLI commands, such as securing access to your AWS credentials and using secure channels for communication.
By following these steps and guidelines, you can ensure that the IAM root user does not have access keys, thus maintaining compliance with NIST 800-53 Revision 5 security standards.