IAM Users in Group Rule
Details regarding the requirement for IAM users to be in at least one group.
| Rule | IAM users should be in at least one group |
| Framework | NIST 800-53 Revision 5 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
IAM Users in at least one group for NIST 800-53 Revision 5
Description:
According to NIST 800-53 Revision 5, it is recommended that IAM (Identity and Access Management) users should be assigned to at least one group. Assigning IAM users to groups helps manage and control permissions more effectively. By organizing users into groups, administrators can apply policies, permissions, and role-based access controls consistently across multiple users, simplifying access management and reducing the risk of unauthorized access. This rule ensures adherence to NIST security standards and enhances the overall security posture of the organization.
Troubleshooting Steps:
If any IAM user is not assigned to any group, it can lead to inadequate access control and improper permission assignments. Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
- 1.Identify the IAM user(s) without group assignment.
- 2.Determine the appropriate group(s) for the user based on their role and required permissions.
- 3.Assign the user(s) to the appropriate group(s) using AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
- 4.Verify the user(s) have been successfully added to the assigned group(s).
- 5.Test the user's access and permissions to ensure they align with the desired security policies.
Necessary Codes:
In case you need to assign an IAM user to a group programmatically using AWS CLI, you can use the following code:
aws iam add-user-to-group --user-name user_name --group-name group_name
Replace
user_namegroup_nameStep-by-Step Guide for Remediation:
Follow these steps to ensure all IAM users are assigned to at least one group according to NIST 800-53 Revision 5:
- 1.
Identify IAM Users without Group Assignment:
- Navigate to the AWS Management Console.
- Open the IAM service.
- In the left navigation pane, click on "Users".
- Review the list of IAM users.
- Make a note of any user without a group assigned.
- 2.
Determine Appropriate Group(s) for the User:
- Evaluate the user's role and required permissions.
- Identify the group(s) that align with the user's responsibilities and access requirements.
- If necessary, create new groups based on the required permissions.
- 3.
Assign IAM User(s) to Group(s):
- Open the IAM service in the AWS Management Console.
- Click on "Users" in the left navigation pane.
- Select the user(s) that need to be assigned to a group.
- From the "Actions" dropdown, click on "Add user to group".
- Choose the appropriate group(s) from the list.
- Click on "Add to group".
- 4.
Verify Group Assignment:
- Check the IAM user's group assignment by selecting the user from the "Users" list.
- In the "Groups" tab, verify that the user is now a member of the assigned group(s).
- Ensure that the correct permissions are associated with the group(s) and align with the user's requirements.
- 5.
Test User Access and Permissions:
- After assigning the user to the group(s), verify that the user has the appropriate access and permissions.
- Test the user's ability to perform tasks and access necessary resources based on their assigned group's permissions.
- If any issues are identified, review the group's policies and permissions to ensure correctness.
By following these steps, you can ensure that all IAM users are properly assigned to at least one group, promoting consistent access controls and compliance with NIST 800-53 Revision 5.