IAM Zero

IAM Zero manages overly permissive Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies in cloud environments, particularly on AWS. This tool detects IAM issues by capturing errors in applications and commands that interact with AWS resources. Here’s how it works:

IAM Zero operates by integrating with your applications and scripts to monitor API calls and capture access denied errors. It then matches these errors against its Access Advisory lists to generate least-privilege policy recommendations. The tool is built using a combination of Go and JavaScript, with the CLI compiled from source and a Python client available for integration into scripts and applications.

To use IAM Zero, you need to compile the CLI from source or use the provided Python client. The setup involves cloning the repository, checking out a stable version, and installing necessary dependencies. The tool requires appropriate permissions to create IAM policies, which can be managed through environment variables and AWS profiles. It is important to note that the main branch is under active development and may be unstable, so using a tested version like v0.2.0 is recommended.

IAM Zero captures API errors in real-time and provides immediate policy recommendations. It uses the boto3 AWS SDK for Python interactions and integrates with AWS environments. The tool is designed to work locally, and you can run it in a terminal window, ensuring that the environment has the necessary permissions to apply the recommended policies. While it currently supports AWS, there are plans to extend support to other cloud platforms like GCP, Azure, and Kubernetes.

One of the key limitations is the need for manual setup and configuration, including ensuring the binary is on the system PATH. Additionally, the tool's ability to apply policies directly is still under development and requires careful permission management to avoid unintended policy changes. As the project evolves, these aspects are expected to be streamlined for better usability.