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AWS IAM Customer Managed Policy Version Created or Default Version Set

Identifies successful IAM API calls that create a new customer managed policy version or set the default version for an existing customer managed policy. Attackers with `iam:CreatePolicyVersion` or…

Description

Identifies successful IAM API calls that create a new customer managed policy version or set the default version for an existing customer managed policy. Attackers with `iam:CreatePolicyVersion` or `iam:SetDefaultPolicyVersion` on a privileged policy can introduce a permissive policy document and activate it, escalating effective permissions without attaching a new policy. These APIs are high impact when the target policy is attached to powerful roles or users.

Detection logic

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Detection requirements

Platform
ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.

Log source category
event_index

Known benign triggers

  • Infrastructure-as-code, CI/CD, and IAM administrators routinely publish new policy versions or roll back defaults. Validate the policy ARN, change tickets, and whether the policy document broadens permissions. Exclude automation roles or pipelines after review.

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