AWS IAM Support
Troubleshooting AWS AccessDenied errors.
An access error can be blocked at several layers: the identity policy, a resource policy, a permissions boundary, a session policy or an Organizations service control policy. We read the exact error, trace which layer denies the call and fix only that.
When You Need This
The situations where this work pays for itself.
Signs it is time
- A user, role or application gets AccessDenied or UnauthorizedOperation
- A policy looks correct but the action still fails
- Cross-account access fails only on one side
- An error mentions "explicit deny in a service control policy"
- A permission worked yesterday and stopped after an Organizations change
What you get
- The denying layer identified with CloudTrail evidence
- A minimal policy change in infrastructure as code
- A troubleshooting guide covering your SCPs and boundaries
- Alarms for unexpected AccessDenied spikes
How we do it
A clear, safe process you can follow along with.
1. Capture the exact error
We collect the full message. Newer errors name the kind of policy responsible, such as "no identity-based policy allows" or "explicit deny in a service control policy", which immediately narrows the layer.
2. Find the call in CloudTrail
We search CloudTrail for the event by name and time, read errorCode, errorMessage, the principal, the role session and the resource, so we fix the right identity and action.
3. Evaluate each policy layer
An allow is needed in the identity policy (and the resource policy where required), and nothing may deny it in an SCP, permissions boundary or session policy. We check each layer and look for explicit Deny statements and conditions.
4. Check conditions and resource details
Conditions on aws:SourceIp, aws:RequestedRegion, MFA, tags or VPC endpoint often cause surprises, as do wrong ARNs, missing /* on object resources and KMS key policies.
5. Test with the simulator
IAM Policy Simulator and the access analyzer policy validation help confirm our theory before we change production policy.
6. Apply the narrowest fix and verify
We add only the missing permission or correct the condition, retest the call and confirm in CloudTrail that it succeeds.
Mistakes we help you avoid
Common ways this goes wrong, and what we do instead.
Adding AdministratorAccess to make it work
It hides the real cause and creates a security risk.
Forgetting resource policies and KMS keys
S3, SQS, Secrets Manager and KMS often need their own allow.
Ignoring SCPs
An SCP can block an action that every identity policy allows.
Editing the wrong principal
Roles are assumed. The caller may be a session of a different role than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting AccessDenied when my IAM policy allows the action?
Another layer is probably denying it: an explicit deny, SCP, permissions boundary, session policy, resource policy or a condition that does not match the request.
What is the order of IAM policy evaluation?
An explicit deny anywhere overrides everything. Otherwise the request needs an allow, and SCPs and boundaries must also permit it. Same-account resource policies can grant access directly.
How do I find which policy denied the request?
Read the error message wording first, then check CloudTrail for the event, and evaluate each policy layer. Recent error messages often state which policy type caused the denial.
Want Help With Troubleshooting AWS AccessDenied errors?
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