Quick Answer
The answer is no, because the IAM policy’s resource ARN, arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*, only grants access to objects within the bucket, not to the bucket itself. The s3:ListBucket action requires the bucket-level ARN (arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket) without the trailing /*, as it operates on the bucket resource, not on individual objects. This is a classic trap on the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam: candidates often confuse object ARNs with bucket ARNs when writing S3 policies. The exam tests your understanding that S3 actions like ListBucket, GetBucketLocation, and PutBucketPolicy target the bucket resource, while actions like GetObject and PutObject target the object resource. A useful memory tip is to think of the /* as “objects only”—if the action needs the bucket itself, drop the slash-star.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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.
An IAM policy has the following statement: {"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:*","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*"}. A user with this policy tries to perform s3:ListBucket on 'my-bucket'. Will the request succeed?
No, because there is an explicit deny elsewhere.
Why wrong: Explicit deny not mentioned.
Yes, because s3:* allows all actions.
Why wrong: Resource restriction limits the action.
No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself.
ListBucket requires bucket-level ARN.
Yes, because the user has permission to access objects.
Why wrong: ListBucket is not an object-level action.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself.
s3:ListBucket requires resource ARN 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket' (without /*). The policy only grants access to objects, not the bucket itself. Option A is incorrect because the action is not allowed. Option C is incorrect because the resource is wrong. Option D is incorrect because service control policies are not mentioned.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
No, because there is an explicit deny elsewhere.
Why it's wrong here
Explicit deny not mentioned.
Yes, because s3:* allows all actions.
Why it's wrong here
Resource restriction limits the action.
No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself.
Why this is correct
ListBucket requires bucket-level ARN.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Yes, because the user has permission to access objects.
Why it's wrong here
ListBucket is not an object-level action.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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
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 SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself. — s3:ListBucket requires resource ARN 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket' (without /*). The policy only grants access to objects, not the bucket itself. Option A is incorrect because the action is not allowed. Option C is incorrect because the resource is wrong. Option D is incorrect because service control policies are not mentioned.
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 SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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