The AWS Credentials File
The .aws/credentials file is a crucial configuration file used by the AWS CLI and other AWS SDK tools to manage and authenticate access to AWS services. Here's a detailed look into this file:
Location and Format
- The file is typically located in the user's home directory under a hidden directory named
.aws.
- It uses an INI format to store credentials, with each section representing a different profile.
- Each section begins with [profile_name] and contains key-value pairs for
aws_access_key_id, aws_secret_access_key, and optionally aws_session_token for temporary credentials.
Security and Best Practices
- Permissions: The file should have strict permissions, typically set to 600 (owner read/write only), to prevent unauthorized access.
- Encryption: It's recommended to use encryption or secure storage solutions like AWS Secrets Manager or AWS KMS for managing these credentials.
- Avoid Hardcoding: Credentials should not be hardcoded in scripts or stored in source control systems.
History and Context
- Introduced with the initial release of the AWS CLI in 2013, the credentials file provided a standardized way to manage credentials across different AWS tools and SDKs.
- It allows users to switch between different AWS accounts or roles without changing environment variables or re-authenticating.
- The file has evolved to support features like IAM roles, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and integration with tools like AWS Vault for secure credential management.
Usage
- Profile Selection: Users can specify which profile to use by setting the
AWS_PROFILE environment variable or by using the --profile option in the AWS CLI.
- Environment Variables: Although the credentials file is preferred, AWS CLI and SDKs can also use environment variables like
AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID, AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY, and AWS_SESSION_TOKEN for authentication.
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