TLDR: Misconfigured AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management), introduced in 2011, can lead to security vulnerabilities, unauthorized access, and compliance risks. Common issues include overly permissive policies, improper role assignments, and lack of MFA enforcement. These misconfigurations expose sensitive AWS resources to exploitation, making it critical to align IAM settings with security best practices.
One frequent issue is the use of wildcard permissions (e.g., `*`), which provide unrestricted access to AWS services or actions, violating the principle of least privilege. Similarly, assigning roles or policies to users or services without adequately limiting their scope can result in unintended access to sensitive data or critical infrastructure. Misconfigured trust relationships for cross-account roles can also allow unauthorized accounts to exploit these roles.
https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/introduction.html
To address AWS IAM misconfigurations, administrators should enforce least privilege principles by granting only necessary permissions and using fine-grained policies. Implementing MFA for all privileged accounts and regularly rotating access keys minimizes the risk of credential compromise. Tools such as AWS IAM Access Analyzer and AWS Trusted Advisor provide insights into misconfigurations and help improve the security posture of IAM environments. Regular audits and proper documentation further ensure secure and efficient AWS IAM management.