Is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource: is a common error message that can arise when attempting to perform certain actions within AWS (Amazon Web Services). This error typically occurs when a user or an IAM (Identity and Access Management) role lacks the necessary permissions to execute a specific action on a particular resource. Understanding the causes and potential solutions to this issue is crucial for maintaining a secure and efficient AWS environment.
In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind the “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource:” error, explore the implications of insufficient permissions, and provide guidance on how to resolve this issue effectively.
Understanding the IAM Role and Permissions
To comprehend the “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource:” error, it is essential to understand the concept of IAM roles and permissions within AWS. IAM roles define the permissions that a user or service can assume, while permissions are granted through policies attached to these roles.
When attempting to pass a role to another user or service, the IAM user or role must have the necessary permissions to perform the “iam:PassRole” action. If the user or role lacks this permission, the error message will be displayed.
Common Causes of the Error
There are several reasons why a user or role may encounter the “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource:” error:
1. Lack of “PassRole” Permission: The IAM user or role does not have the “PassRole” permission, which is required to assume another role.
2. Incorrect Policy Document: The attached policy document may be missing the necessary permissions or incorrectly formatted.
3. Insufficient Trust Relationship: The trust relationship between the source and target roles may not be properly defined, preventing the assumption of the target role.
4. Role Already Assumed: The IAM user or role is already assuming another role, and the maximum number of concurrent role assumptions has been reached.
Resolving the Error
To resolve the “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource:” error, follow these steps:
1. Verify Permissions: Ensure that the IAM user or role has the “PassRole” permission. You can do this by checking the attached policies or by creating a new policy with the required permissions.
2. Check Policy Document: Review the policy document for any missing or incorrect permissions. Make sure that the policy is properly formatted and that it includes the necessary actions and resources.
3. Validate Trust Relationships: Confirm that the trust relationships between the source and target roles are correctly defined. The trust relationship should allow the source role to assume the target role.
4. Release Concurrency Constraints: If the IAM user or role is already assuming another role, release the concurrency constraints by terminating the existing session or by increasing the maximum number of concurrent role assumptions.
Conclusion
The “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource:” error can be a challenging issue to resolve, but understanding the underlying causes and applying the appropriate solutions can help you maintain a secure and efficient AWS environment. By ensuring that IAM roles and permissions are correctly configured and that trust relationships are properly defined, you can avoid this error and prevent potential security vulnerabilities.
