When working with AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management), encountering the error message “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource: arn:aws:iam” can be quite frustrating. This error indicates that the user or role attempting to perform the action does not have the necessary permissions to assume a role within the IAM service. In this article, we will delve into the causes of this error, its implications, and the steps to resolve it effectively.
The “iam:passrole” permission is required to assume an IAM role. This permission is typically granted to users or roles that need to access resources in a different AWS account or assume a role with different permissions. When the error “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource: arn:aws:iam” occurs, it means that the user or role lacks the required permission to assume the target role.
There are several reasons why this error might occur:
1. Missing “iam:PassRole” Permission: The user or role does not have the “iam:PassRole” permission attached to their IAM policy. This permission is essential for assuming roles and must be explicitly granted in the IAM policy.
2. Incorrect IAM Policy: The IAM policy may contain errors or may not be structured correctly, resulting in the user or role not having the necessary permissions.
3. Role Not Found: The target role may not exist in the specified AWS account or region, or the user may not have access to the role due to insufficient permissions.
4. Account Access Issues: The user or role may not have the necessary access to the AWS account where the target role is located, or there may be an issue with the trust relationship between the accounts.
To resolve the “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource: arn:aws:iam” error, follow these steps:
1. Verify IAM Policy: Check the IAM policy associated with the user or role to ensure that the “iam:PassRole” permission is included. If the permission is missing, add it to the policy.
2. Correct IAM Policy Structure: Ensure that the IAM policy is structured correctly and follows the proper syntax. Use tools like the AWS Policy Generator or AWS Policy Simulator to help create or validate IAM policies.
3. Confirm Role Existence: Verify that the target role exists in the specified AWS account and region. If the role does not exist, create it using the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
4. Check Account Access: Ensure that the user or role has access to the AWS account where the target role is located. If necessary, adjust the trust relationship between accounts or grant the appropriate permissions.
5. Test Permissions: After making the necessary changes, test the permissions by attempting to assume the role again. If the error persists, review the IAM policy and account access settings once more.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “is not authorized to perform: iam:passrole on resource: arn:aws:iam” error and successfully assume the target role within the AWS IAM service.
