> 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-gcp-30.md).

# GCP VM instance configured with default service account misconfiguration detected in code

## Rule Details

|                        |                                      |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_GCP\_30                      |
| Category - Subcategory | IAM - Overly Permissive              |
| Provider               | GCP                                  |
| Severity               | LOW                                  |
| Framework              | Terraform, Terraform Plan            |
| Mapped CSPM/KSPM Rule  | 6f326cc0-c19e-4d9d-9cbc-e226dd6b58eb |

## Impact

The default Compute Engine service account has Editor role on the project, allowing read and write access to most Google Cloud Services. We recommend you configure your instance to not use the default Compute Engine service account. You should create a new service account and assign only the permissions needed by your instance. This helps defend against compromised VM privilege escalations and prevent an attacker from gaining access to all of your project.

NOTE: The default Compute Engine service account is named: **\[PROJECT\_NUMBER]**<-compute@developer.gserviceaccount.com>.

## How to Fix

*Resource:* google\_compute\_instance

* *Field:* service\_account
* *Arguments:* email = \<email other than the default service\_account's> \[source,go]

***

resource "google\_compute\_instance" "default" { name = "test" machine\_type = "n1-standard-1" zone = "us-central1-a"

* service\_account { scopes = \["userinfo-email", "compute-ro", "storage-ro"]
* email = "\[PROJECT\_NUMBER]<-compute@developer.gserviceaccount.com>"
* email = "<example@email.com>" } }

***


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