If you're experiencing issues with the 'No Identity-Based Policy Allows the SecretsManager:GetSecretValue Action' error message, this troubleshooting guide will help you identify the root cause and provide you with the necessary steps to fix the problem.
This error is often encountered when using AWS Secrets Manager, which is a service that helps you protect access to your applications, services, and IT resources without upfront investment or on-going maintenance costs.
This guide assumes that you have a basic understanding of AWS and the Secrets Manager service.
Table of Contents
What does the error mean?
The error 'No Identity-Based Policy Allows the SecretsManager:GetSecretValue Action' indicates that the AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) policy attached to the principal (user or role) attempting to access the secret does not have the necessary permissions to perform the secretsmanager:GetSecretValue action.
This action is required in order to retrieve the secret value from AWS Secrets Manager.
Common causes of the error
The following are some common causes of the 'No Identity-Based Policy Allows the SecretsManager:GetSecretValue Action' error:
- The IAM policy does not include the
secretsmanager:GetSecretValueaction. - The IAM policy has a restrictive resource definition.
- The IAM policy has a condition block that is not satisfied.
Step-by-step solution
Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
Step 1: Check if the IAM policy includes the secretsmanager:GetSecretValue action
- Open the AWS Management Console.
- Navigate to the IAM service.
- Click on "Policies" in the left-hand menu.
- Search for the IAM policy attached to the principal experiencing the error.
- Open the policy and verify if the
secretsmanager:GetSecretValueaction is included in the "Action" section.
If the action is missing, add it to the policy and test again.
Step 2: Check for restrictive resource definitions
- In the IAM policy attached to the principal, check the "Resource" section.
- Ensure that the Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the secret being accessed is included or replaced with a wildcard
*to allow access to all secrets.
If the resource definition is restrictive, update it accordingly and test again.
Step 3: Check for condition blocks
- In the IAM policy attached to the principal, check for any condition blocks.
- Ensure that the conditions are satisfied when the principal attempts to access the secret.
If the conditions are not satisfied, update the policy to either remove or modify the condition block and test again.
FAQ
Q: What is the secretsmanager:GetSecretValue action?
The secretsmanager:GetSecretValue action is an AWS API action that allows you to retrieve the secret value from AWS Secrets Manager.
Q: Can I use a wildcard * for the "Resource" section in the IAM policy?
Yes, you can use a wildcard * in the "Resource" section to grant access to all secrets. However, this approach is not recommended for production environments, as it might lead to unintended access to sensitive information.
Q: What is an IAM policy?
An IAM policy is a JSON document that defines permissions for a principal (user, group, or role) in AWS. It allows or denies access to specific AWS resources and actions.
Q: How can I create a custom IAM policy?
To create a custom IAM policy, follow the instructions in the AWS documentation.
Q: Can I attach multiple IAM policies to a single principal?
Yes, you can attach multiple IAM policies to a single principal. The effective permissions of the principal will be the combination of all attached policies.