Misconfigured RBAC
TLDR: Misconfigured RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) occurs when roles, permissions, or policies are improperly implemented, leading to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or data breaches. Common issues include overly permissive roles, missing role definitions, and lack of monitoring for access changes. Properly configured RBAC ensures secure and efficient access management in applications, systems, or cloud environments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-based_access_control
A misconfigured RBAC setup might grant users or services excessive permissions, such as administrator access when only read-only permissions are needed. Failing to segregate roles effectively can allow unauthorized users to perform privileged actions. Additionally, neglecting to audit or monitor changes to roles and permissions can result in unnoticed privilege escalation. Tools like AWS IAM Access Analyzer and Azure Active Directory PIM provide visibility and help address RBAC misconfigurations in cloud environments.
To secure RBAC implementations, administrators should adhere to the principle of least privilege, assigning the minimum necessary permissions to users and services. Regularly auditing roles and permissions ensures alignment with organizational policies and compliance standards. Automating access reviews with tools like Google Cloud IAM or integrating with monitoring solutions improves the overall reliability and security of RBAC configurations.