DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
Exhibit
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"rds:DescribeDBInstances",
"rds:ModifyDBInstance"
],
"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 attempts to delete a DB instance named 'prod-db'. What will happen?
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 fail because of the explicit Deny statement.
The Deny statement explicitly denies delete on any instance matching 'prod-*'. Since an explicit deny overrides any allow, the delete will fail. Therefore, the correct answer is C. Option A is incorrect because the deny overrides the allow. Option B is incorrect because the resource 'prod-db' does match the deny pattern 'prod-*'. Option D is incorrect because the policy does not require MFA in this context, and even with MFA, the explicit deny would still apply.
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 succeed because the Allow statement grants modify permission.
Why it's wrong here
Modify does not include delete.
- ✗
The delete will succeed because the resource is 'prod-db' which does not match the deny pattern.
Why it's wrong here
The pattern 'prod-*' matches 'prod-db'.
- ✓
The delete will fail because of the explicit Deny statement.
Why this is correct
Explicit deny overrides any allow.
- ✗
The delete will succeed only if the user has MFA enabled.
Why it's wrong here
MFA is not mentioned in the policy.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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