Quick Answer
The answer is that the bucket policy creates a security risk by granting public read access. This risk occurs because the policy uses `"Principal": "*"` combined with `"Effect": "Allow"` and `"Action": "s3:GetObject"`, which permits any unauthenticated user on the internet to list and retrieve objects stored in the bucket. On the Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cloud access control misconfigurations, specifically how a seemingly simple policy can lead to widespread data exposure. A common trap is assuming that a bucket policy is secure if it does not explicitly grant write access, but the CISA exam emphasizes that public read access alone violates confidentiality and can expose sensitive data. Remember the mnemonic “Star equals open bar”—when you see `"Principal": "*"` with an Allow effect, think of it as leaving the bucket’s door unlocked for everyone.
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of protection of information assets. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Based on the exhibit, what is the security risk of this bucket policy?
The bucket is publicly readable
Principal: * allows anonymous access.
The bucket allows public write access
Why wrong: Only GetObject is allowed.
The bucket policy restricts access to a specific IAM role
Why wrong: Principal is *, not a role.
The bucket policy is not encrypted
Why wrong: Encryption is not shown.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The bucket is publicly readable
The bucket policy grants public read access by setting `"Principal": "*"` and `"Effect": "Allow"` with `"Action": "s3:GetObject"`. This means any unauthenticated user on the internet can list and retrieve objects in the bucket, making it publicly readable. The policy does not require any authentication or authorization checks, which is a common misconfiguration leading to data exposure.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The bucket is publicly readable
Why this is correct
Principal: * allows anonymous access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The bucket allows public write access
Why it's wrong here
Only GetObject is allowed.
The bucket policy restricts access to a specific IAM role
Why it's wrong here
Principal is *, not a role.
The bucket policy is not encrypted
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is not shown.
Common exam traps
ISACA often tests the distinction between read and write permissions in bucket policies, and the trap here is that candidates see `"Principal": "*"` and assume it means full public access (both read and write), but the specific `Action` determines the actual risk—only read access is granted in this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Encryption is not shown.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, S3 bucket policies are evaluated by AWS IAM before any request is processed; a `Principal: "*"` with `Effect: Allow` on `s3:GetObject` effectively disables all access controls for read operations, bypassing any bucket ACLs or IAM user permissions. In real-world scenarios, this misconfiguration has led to massive data breaches, such as the 2017 Accenture leak where 4 TB of data was exposed via a publicly readable S3 bucket. The policy does not include a `Condition` block (e.g., `IpAddress` or `Referer`) that could mitigate the risk, leaving the bucket fully open to the internet.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
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Protection of Information Assets — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Protection of Information Assets — This question tests Protection of Information Assets — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The bucket is publicly readable — The bucket policy grants public read access by setting `"Principal": "*"` and `"Effect": "Allow"` with `"Action": "s3:GetObject"`. This means any unauthenticated user on the internet can list and retrieve objects in the bucket, making it publicly readable. The policy does not require any authentication or authorization checks, which is a common misconfiguration leading to data exposure.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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