The answer is that the IAM policy lacks the s3:ListBucket permission, which is required to list objects in an S3 bucket. The s3:ListBucket action controls the ability to execute the ListObjects API call, which the AWS CLI uses when running commands like `aws s3 ls s3://my-db-backups`. Without this specific permission, the user receives an access denied error even if other actions like s3:GetObject are granted. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of S3 permission granularity, particularly how bucket-level actions (ListBucket) differ from object-level actions (GetObject). A common trap is assuming that having GetObject or a wildcard resource automatically covers listing; it does not. Remember the mnemonic: "List the bucket, Get the object" — ListBucket is for the bucket itself, GetObject is for items inside it.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
IAM policy attached to a user:
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"s3:GetObject",
"s3:PutObject",
"s3:DeleteObject"
],
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-db-backups/*"
}
]
}
A user is unable to list the contents of the S3 bucket 'my-db-backups' using the AWS CLI. The IAM policy attached to the user is shown in the exhibit. What is the likely cause?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy does not grant 's3:ListBucket' permission.
Option A is correct because the policy does not include 's3:ListBucket' action. Option B is wrong because the resource includes the bucket. Option C is wrong because the policy is valid JSON. Option D is wrong because the bucket name is correct.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The user is using the wrong bucket name.
Why it's wrong here
No indication of wrong bucket name.
✓
The policy does not grant 's3:ListBucket' permission.
Why this is correct
ListBucket is required to list objects.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The resource ARN is missing the bucket-level ARN needed for listing.
Why it's wrong here
The resource includes objects, but listing requires bucket-level ARN.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy does not grant 's3:ListBucket' permission. — Option A is correct because the policy does not include 's3:ListBucket' action. Option B is wrong because the resource includes the bucket. Option C is wrong because the policy is valid JSON. Option D is wrong because the bucket name is correct.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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