Understanding IAM Policy Deny Override in AWS CodeCommit Branch Push
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. An IAM policy is attached to a user. The user tries to push a commit to the 'develop' branch of 'MyRepo' using Git. What is the outcome?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The push is denied because the user is not pushing to the 'main' branch.
The policy allows GitPull and GitPush on the repo, but denies GitPush when the reference is not 'refs/heads/main'. Since the user is pushing to 'develop', the condition is met, and the Deny applies. An explicit Deny overrides any Allow, so the push is denied.
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.
✗
The push is denied only if the user is pushing to the 'main' branch.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny applies when the branch is NOT main, so pushing to main would be allowed.
✗
The push succeeds because the Allow statement grants GitPush.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement explicitly denies GitPush when the branch is not main, and an explicit Deny overrides any Allow.
✓
The push is denied because the user is not pushing to the 'main' branch.
Why this is correct
The Deny statement uses a condition to deny GitPush when the branch is not main, so pushing to develop is denied.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The push is denied because the Deny statement blocks all GitPush actions.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny only applies when the reference is not main; it does not block all GitPush.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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 DOP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The push is denied because the user is not pushing to the 'main' branch. — The policy allows GitPull and GitPush on the repo, but denies GitPush when the reference is not 'refs/heads/main'. Since the user is pushing to 'develop', the condition is met, and the Deny applies. An explicit Deny overrides any Allow, so the push is denied.
What should I do if I get this DOP-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 DOP-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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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. An IAM policy is attached to a user. The user reports that they cannot push to the 'MyRepo' repository. What is the likely reason?
medium
✓ A.The policy does not allow GitPush on the repository's branches.
B.The user is not in the correct IAM group.
C.The user does not have GitPull permission on the repository.
D.The policy must include codecommit:CreateRepository action.
Why A: The IAM policy shown in the exhibit likely includes a condition or resource restriction that limits the `codecommit:GitPush` action to specific branches, or the policy is missing the `codecommit:GitPush` action entirely. Without explicit permission to push to the repository's branches, the user will receive an access denied error when attempting to push changes. AWS CodeCommit uses IAM policies to control Git operations, and `GitPush` must be allowed on the repository ARN (e.g., `arn:aws:codecommit:region:account:MyRepo`) and optionally on specific branch references using conditions.
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