IAM Root User Should Not Have Access Keys Rule
This rule pertains to the restriction of access keys for the IAM root user.
| Rule | IAM root user should not have access keys |
| Framework | HIPAA |
| Severity | ✔ Medium |
Rule/Policy Description:
The rule states that the root user in the IAM (Identity and Access Management) framework should not have access keys for HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance. Access keys are long-term credentials that consist of an access key ID and a secret access key. The root user has complete administrative access and control over an AWS (Amazon Web Services) account, making it a potential security risk if access keys are enabled.
Potential Implications:
Enabling access keys for the root user can lead to the following implications:
- 1.
Security Breach: If access keys are compromised or fall into the wrong hands, an unauthorized individual may gain full control over the AWS account, which can result in data breaches, service disruptions, or unauthorized actions.
- 2.
Lack of Accountability: With access keys, it becomes difficult to trace actions performed by the root user, hindering accountability and auditing efforts.
- 3.
Regulatory Non-Compliance: The HIPAA compliance standards require proper security measures to protect sensitive healthcare data. Allowing access keys for the root user violates these standards.
Troubleshooting Steps:
If access keys are found to be enabled for the root user and need to be remediated, follow the steps below:
- 1.Log in to the AWS Management Console using the root user credentials.
- 2.Open the IAM service from the console.
- 3.Navigate to the Users section.
- 4.Locate the root user in the user list.
- 5.Ensure that there are no access keys associated with the root user. If there are any access keys present, proceed to step 6.
- 6.Select the root user and go to the Security Credentials tab.
- 7.Delete any access keys associated with the root user by clicking on the "Delete" button.
- 8.After confirming the deletion, the access keys will be permanently removed.
Code Example:
No specific code examples are required for this rule as it involves utilizing the AWS Management Console to remove access keys for the root user.
Remediation Steps:
Follow the step-by-step guide below to remediate the issue:
- 1.Open AWS Management Console in a web browser.
- 2.Log in using root user credentials.
- 3.Click on the "Services" drop-down menu and select "IAM" under the Security, Identity & Compliance section.
- 4.In the left-hand navigation pane, click on "Users."
- 5.In the Users list, identify the root user and select it by clicking on its name.
- 6.Click on the "Security credentials" tab.
- 7.On the right-hand side, under the Access keys section, you should see a table with existing access keys (if any).
- 8.If there are any access keys listed, select each key one by one and click on the "Delete" button.
- 9.Confirm the deletion by clicking on the "Yes, Delete" button when prompted.
- 10.Repeat steps 8 and 9 for all access keys associated with the root user.
- 11.Once all access keys are deleted, the root user will no longer have any access keys associated with it.
Note:
It is highly recommended to follow the principle of least privilege and avoid using the root user for day-to-day activities in order to ensure better security and compliance with HIPAA regulations.