DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"rds:CreateDBInstance",
"rds:ModifyDBInstance",
"rds:DeleteDBInstance"
],
"Resource": "*"
},
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Action": "rds:DeleteDBInstance",
"Resource": "arn:aws:rds:us-east-1:123456789012:db:prod-*"
}
]
}Refer to the exhibit. An IAM policy is attached to a user. The user tries to delete a database instance named 'prod-mydb' in us-east-1. What will happen?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume a broader Allow statement will override a more specific Deny, but AWS IAM's explicit deny always wins, regardless of specificity or scope.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The delete will be denied because the Deny statement explicitly matches the resource.
D is correct because IAM policy evaluation follows an explicit deny priority rule. Even though the Allow statement grants 'rds:DeleteDBInstance' on 'arn:aws:rds:us-east-1:*:db:*', the Deny statement explicitly matches the resource 'arn:aws:rds:us-east-1:123456789012:db:prod-mydb' and specifies 'rds:DeleteDBInstance'. Since an explicit deny overrides any allow, the delete operation will be denied.
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 delete will be allowed because the Allow statement is broader.
Why it's wrong here
Deny overrides Allow.
- ✗
The delete will fail with an error because the policy is invalid.
Why it's wrong here
Policy is valid.
- ✗
The delete will succeed only if the instance is tagged with 'Environment: prod'.
Why it's wrong here
No tag condition in policy.
- ✓
The delete will be denied because the Deny statement explicitly matches the resource.
Why this is correct
Explicit Deny overrides Allow.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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