The answer is that access is denied because the explicit Deny overrides the Allow. This is the core principle of AWS IAM policy evaluation logic: any explicit Deny statement always takes precedence over any Allow, regardless of the order in which they appear. In this scenario, the bucket policy grants blanket Allow access to all objects but then adds a specific Deny for the `secret/` prefix, so when an anonymous user requests `https://my-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/secret/key.txt`, the Deny immediately blocks the request. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this concept frequently appears in questions testing your understanding of policy evaluation precedence, often as a trap where candidates mistakenly think an Allow can override a Deny or that the policy is invalid. Remember the mnemonic: "Deny always wins—if it says no, the answer is no."
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. 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 attaches the above bucket policy to an S3 bucket. An anonymous user tries to access https://my-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/secret/key.txt. What is the result?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Access is denied because the explicit Deny overrides the Allow.
Option B is correct because the explicit Deny overrides the Allow. Even though the Allow grants access to all objects, the Deny for the secret/ prefix explicitly denies access. Option A is incorrect because the explicit Deny takes precedence. Option C is incorrect because the policy is valid. Option D is incorrect because the user is anonymous but the Deny applies.
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.
✓
Access is denied because the explicit Deny overrides the Allow.
Why this is correct
Explicit Deny takes precedence.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Access is allowed because the Allow statement covers all objects.
Why it's wrong here
Explicit Deny overrides Allow.
✗
Access is allowed because anonymous requests are not affected by Deny statements.
Why it's wrong here
Deny applies to all principals including anonymous.
✗
Access is denied because the policy is invalid (two statements conflict).
Why it's wrong here
Policy is valid; Deny wins.
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.
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Access is denied because the explicit Deny overrides the Allow. — Option B is correct because the explicit Deny overrides the Allow. Even though the Allow grants access to all objects, the Deny for the secret/ prefix explicitly denies access. Option A is incorrect because the explicit Deny takes precedence. Option C is incorrect because the policy is valid. Option D is incorrect because the user is anonymous but the Deny applies.
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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Question Discussion
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