- A
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"*"}]}
Why wrong: This denies s3:ListBucket for all buckets, so the user cannot list objects in any bucket.
- B
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"confidential-data"}]}
Why wrong: The resource ARN is missing the 'arn:aws:s3:::' prefix, so it's invalid.
- C
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::confidential-data"}]}
Explicitly denies ListBucket on the confidential-data bucket, overriding the allow.
- D
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::confidential-data"}]}
Why wrong: This allows listing the confidential-data bucket, which is not desired.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is the policy that grants s3:ListAllMyBuckets on all resources while adding an explicit Deny for s3:ListBucket on the arn:aws:s3:::confidential-data bucket. This works because IAM evaluates all policies with an explicit Deny taking precedence over any Allow, so the user can list all buckets in the account but is blocked from listing the contents of the confidential-data bucket. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the IAM policy evaluation logic, specifically how explicit Denies override Allows, and it often appears as a trap where candidates mistakenly use a Deny on s3:ListAllMyBuckets instead of s3:ListBucket. A common memory tip is “Deny always wins,” so when you need to allow listing all buckets but restrict a specific bucket, remember to Deny only the ListBucket action on that single bucket resource, not the global listing action.
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of 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.
A developer wants to grant an IAM user permissions to list all S3 buckets in the account, but deny access to a specific bucket named 'confidential-data'. Which IAM policy should be attached?
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
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::confidential-data"}]}
Option C is correct because the policy grants s3:ListAllMyBuckets and explicitly denies s3:ListBucket on the confidential-data bucket. The explicit deny overrides the allow. Option A denies all ListBucket actions, preventing listing any bucket. Option B grants access to all buckets. Option D is invalid syntax.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"*"}]}
Why it's wrong here
This denies s3:ListBucket for all buckets, so the user cannot list objects in any bucket.
- ✗
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"confidential-data"}]}
Why it's wrong here
The resource ARN is missing the 'arn:aws:s3:::' prefix, so it's invalid.
- ✓
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::confidential-data"}]}
Why this is correct
Explicitly denies ListBucket on the confidential-data bucket, overriding the allow.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::confidential-data"}]}
Why it's wrong here
This allows listing the confidential-data bucket, which is not desired.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DVA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: {"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:ListAllMyBuckets","Resource":"*"},{"Effect":"Deny","Action":"s3:ListBucket","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::confidential-data"}]} — Option C is correct because the policy grants s3:ListAllMyBuckets and explicitly denies s3:ListBucket on the confidential-data bucket. The explicit deny overrides the allow. Option A denies all ListBucket actions, preventing listing any bucket. Option B grants access to all buckets. Option D is invalid syntax.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DVA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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