# Source: https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/default_rules/def-000-apy.md

---
title: >-
  AWS EC2 instance can create access keys for an IAM user with administrative
  privileges
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > OOTB Rules > AWS EC2 instance can create access keys
  for an IAM user with administrative privileges
---

# AWS EC2 instance can create access keys for an IAM user with administrative privileges
 
## Description{% #description %}

In AWS environments, some IAM permissions can lead to privilege escalation, where an identity can gain access to another more privileged identity. This rule identifies when an EC2 instance has an IAM role that can use `iam:CreateAccessKey` to create new access keys for an IAM user with administrative privileges. By creating a new access key pair for another user, an adversary could use those credentials to operate as that user and leverage their privileges.

## Rationale{% #rationale %}

The identity which triggered this detection can create an access key pair for an IAM user with administrative privileges, giving them access to the privileges of the compromised user.

## Remediation{% #remediation %}

Datadog recommends reducing the permissions attached to an EC2 instance to the minimum required for it to fulfill its function. To remediate the issue, either remove the `iam:CreateAccessKey` permission entirely or modify the resource specified in the IAM policy.