> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/appsec-rules/iac-security/iam/appsec-aws-49.md).

# AWS IAM policy documents do not allow \* (asterisk) as a statement's action misconfiguration detected

## AWS IAM policy documents do not allow \* (asterisk) as a statement's action misconfiguration detected in code

### Rule Details

|                        |                                       |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_AWS\_49                       |
| Category - Subcategory | IAM - Overly Permissive               |
| Provider               | AWS                                   |
| Severity               | HIGH                                  |
| Framework              | Serverless, Terraform, Terraform Plan |

### Impact

The Action element describes the specific action or actions that will be allowed or denied. Statements must include either an Action or NotAction element. Each AWS service has its own set of actions that describe tasks that can be performed with that service. Specify a value using a namespace that identifies a service, for example, iam, ec2 sqs, sns, s3, followed by the name of the action to be allowed or denied. The name must match an action that is supported by the service. We recommend you do not allow "\*" (all resource) statements as part of action elements. This level of access could potentially grant unwanted and unregulated access to anyone given this policy document setting. We recommend you to write a refined policy describing the specific action allowed or required by the specific policy holder.

### How to Fix

*Arguments:* statement

* *Attribute*: action

### Example fix: \[source,go]

resource "aws\_iam\_policy" "example" {

## ... other configuration ...

policy = <\<POLICY { "Version": "2012-10-17", "Statement": { "Effect": "Allow",

* "Action": "*", "Resource": "*" }

***


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/appsec-rules/iac-security/iam/appsec-aws-49.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.