Deep Dive into Problem: AWS Bedrock AccessDeniedException

 

Deep Dive into Problem: AWS Bedrock AccessDeniedException

Question 

"I'm trying to use AWS Bedrock, but every time I run an AWS CLI command, I get this error: AccessDeniedException: User is not authorized to perform this action. I’ve double-checked my IAM user and role, but I still can’t access Bedrock. What am I missing?"

Clarifying the Issue 

You're attempting to interact with AWS Bedrock using the AWS CLI, but you’re getting an AccessDeniedException. This means your IAM user or role does not have the necessary permissions to access Bedrock-related resources. Even though you've checked your IAM settings, several factors could be blocking access, including missing policies, incorrect role assumptions, AWS Organizations policies, or Bedrock’s regional availability.

Why It Matters 

AWS IAM permissions control access to all AWS services, and misconfigurations can prevent essential operations—or worse, expose your AWS account to security risks. AWS Bedrock provides a managed AI model hosting service, but because it's not open to all AWS users by default, proper IAM setup is required. If you're working in a corporate AWS environment, organizational security policies may restrict access to new services, and you may need admin approval to enable Bedrock.

Key Terms

• AWS Bedrock: A fully managed service that provides API access to foundation models for AI applications.
• IAM (Identity and Access Management): The AWS service that controls user permissions.
• IAM Role: An AWS identity with specific permissions, often used for temporary access.
• AccessDeniedException: An error indicating insufficient permissions to perform an AWS action.
• AWS Organizations: A service that helps manage multiple AWS accounts under one organization, often enforcing security policies.
• SCP (Service Control Policy): A high-level policy that restricts actions across an AWS Organization.

Steps at a Glance

1. Check if the necessary IAM policies are attached to your user or role.
2. Verify which IAM role or user AWS CLI is using.
3. Check if an AWS Organizations SCP is restricting access.
4. Ensure AWS Bedrock is enabled and available in your region.
5. Test Bedrock API access after applying the correct permissions.

Detailed Steps

1. Checking IAM Permissions
   AWS Bedrock is a restricted service, meaning it requires explicit permissions. Your IAM user or role must have the AmazonBedrockFullAccess policy (or an equivalent custom policy).

Verify Your User’s Attached Policies

aws iam list-attached-user-policies --user-name my-user

Expected Output (if user has no permissions):

JSON

{
    "AttachedPolicies": []
}

If no policies are attached, you need to grant the correct permissions.

Attach the AWS Bedrock Policy to Your IAM User

aws iam attach-user-policy --user-name my-user --policy-arn arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/AmazonBedrockFullAccess

To confirm the policy was successfully added:

aws iam list-attached-user-policies --user-name my-user

Expected Output (if policy is attached):

JSON

{
    "AttachedPolicies": [
        {
            "PolicyName": "AmazonBedrockFullAccess",
            "PolicyArn": "arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/AmazonBedrockFullAccess"
        }
    ]
}

💡 Tip: If your organization enforces strict IAM security, you might need a custom policy instead of AmazonBedrockFullAccess.

2. Verifying IAM Role or User in Use
   If you're using AWS CLI, it’s possible that you're running commands with a different IAM user or role than expected.

Check the Active IAM User or Role

aws sts get-caller-identity

Expected Output (if using the correct user/role):

JSON

{
    "UserId": "AIDACKCEVSQ6C2EXAMPLE",
    "Account": "123456789012",
    "Arn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:user/my-user"
}

❌ If the output shows an unexpected IAM role or user, you may need to switch profiles or assume the correct role:

aws configure --profile my-profile

Or, assume a role manually:

aws sts assume-role --role-arn arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/my-role --role-session-name BedrockSession

3. Checking for AWS Organizations SCP Restrictions
   If you're part of an AWS Organization, a Service Control Policy (SCP) could be blocking access to AWS Bedrock, even if your IAM policies are correct.

List Attached Service Control Policies

aws organizations describe-policy --policy-id p-12345678

Possible Output (if an SCP is blocking access):

JSON

{
    "PolicySummary": {
        "Type": "SERVICE_CONTROL_POLICY",
        "Name": "DenyAllBedrock",
        "Description": "Prevents all access to AWS Bedrock",
        "Id": "p-12345678",
        "Arn": "arn:aws:organizations::123456789012:policy/service_control_policy/p-12345678"
    }
}

❌ Fix: If your organization has an SCP blocking Bedrock, you need an AWS administrator to modify or remove the restriction.

4. Ensuring AWS Bedrock is Available in Your Region
   AWS Bedrock is not available in all regions. If you’re trying to use Bedrock in an unsupported region, you’ll get an Access Denied error.

Check Your AWS CLI Region

aws configure get region

Switch to a Supported Region

aws configure set region us-east-1

To verify that Bedrock is available in the selected region:

aws bedrock list-foundation-models --region us-east-1

Expected Output (if working correctly):

JSON

{
    "models": [
        {
            "modelId": "ai21.j2-ultra",
            "providerName": "AI21",
            "modelName": "Jurassic-2 Ultra"
        },
        {
            "modelId": "anthropic.claude-v1",
            "providerName": "Anthropic",
            "modelName": "Claude v1"
        }
    ]
}

5. Testing Bedrock API Access After Fixing Permissions
   Once you've:
   ✅ Attached the correct IAM policy
   ✅ Verified your IAM user or role
   ✅ Checked AWS Organizations policies
   ✅ Ensured you’re in a supported region
   Run the final test:

aws bedrock list-foundation-models --region us-east-1

✅ If this command now works without errors, your issue is resolved! 🎉

Closing Thoughts
Bedrock requires explicit permissions and may be blocked by organizational security policies. By following the steps above, you can correct IAM issues, check role assumptions, and verify regional availability to resolve the AccessDeniedException.

Key Takeaways
✅ Check IAM Policies – Ensure your user or role has AmazonBedrockFullAccess or equivalent permissions.
✅ Verify IAM Role & User – Run aws sts get-caller-identity to confirm you’re using the right credentials.
✅ Check SCP Policies – AWS Organizations can override IAM permissions, blocking access. ✅ Use a Supported Region – AWS Bedrock isn’t available in all regions; switch if necessary. ✅ Test and Confirm – Always re-run aws bedrock list-foundation-models after making changes.

Need AWS Expertise?

If you're looking for guidance on Amazon Bedrock or any cloud challenges, feel free to reach out! We'd love to help you tackle your Bedrock projects. 🚀

Email us at: info@pacificw.com

Image: Gemini