Securing AWS S3 Pre-Signed URLs

Travis Felder
3 min readAug 17, 2023
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash

AWS pre-signed URLs are a powerful feature that allows temporary access to a specific S3 object without requiring AWS credentials. Here we will outline the secure implementation of pre-signed URLs, the associated risks, common use cases, and alternative solutions to consider.

Use Cases

1. Temporary Access to Files: Pre-signed URLs can be used to provide temporary access to files, such as images, videos, or documents, without exposing them to the public.

2. Third-Party Access: They enable third-party users to upload or download files without needing to manage AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management) credentials.

3. Streamlined User Experience: Pre-signed URLs can be used to create a seamless user experience by allowing direct uploads and downloads without intermediate servers.

Implementation

Step 1: Configure IAM Permissions

Ensure that the IAM user or role generating the pre-signed URL has the necessary permissions for the S3 object.

Step 2: Generate the Pre-Signed URL

Utilize the AWS SDK to create a pre-signed URL with a specific expiration time.

Step 3: Secure the URL

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