*ALLOBJ (All-Object) authority is one of the most powerful and potentially risky special authorities on IBM i systems. It grants users the ability to access every object on the system, regardless of existing permissions or restrictions. While this level of access is occasionally necessary, it must be handled with extreme caution to prevent security risks and compliance issues.

What is *ALLOBJ Authority?

At its core, *ALLOBJ special authority enables a user to:

• Access any resource on the system, even if they explicitly have *EXCLUDE authority to that object.
• View, modify, or delete any object in the system.
• Grant authority to other users to access objects.

Key Characteristics:

• Unrestricted Access: Users with *ALLOBJ authority can bypass private authority checks and access any resource.
• Sometimes worse than "root": In the IBM i ecosystem, *ALLOBJ authority is often considered more dangerous than traditional "root" access in UNIX systems due to its breadth of access over all system objects.
• Potential for Misuse: A user with *ALLOBJ can explore the system’s structure, identify weaknesses, and potentially exploit them, intentionally or unintentionally.

Risks of *ALLOBJ Authority

While *ALLOBJ is a powerful tool for system administration, it also poses significant risks:

• Data Exposure: A user can access sensitive or confidential data that they should not have permissions to view.
• Unintended Changes: Without appropriate checks, users can inadvertently alter or delete critical objects.
• Security Vulnerabilities: *ALLOBJ users can identify and exploit weak points in the system, jeopardizing system integrity.
• Compliance Issues: Regulatory auditors often flag excessive use of *ALLOBJ due to its potential to violate data privacy and access control policies.

Best Practices for Managing *ALLOBJ Authority

To mitigate the risks associated with *ALLOBJ, organizations could adopt the following strategies:

1. Use *ALLOBJ Authority with Caution

• Grant *ALLOBJ only when absolutely necessary and ensure users understand its implications.

2. Limit Access to *ALLOBJ Authority

• Assign *ALLOBJ sparingly to a minimal number of trusted users / profiles.
• Regularly review user profiles to ensure that *ALLOBJ is granted only where justified.

3. Implement Privilege Escalation Tools

• Use tools such as Fortra / Helpsystems Powertech Authority Broker to:
  • Allow temporary escalation to *ALLOBJ for specific tasks.
  • Maintain an audit trail of all actions taken under elevated privileges.

4. Use Adopted Authority for Specific Functions

• Employ adopted authority for specific operations, such as:
  • Resetting user passwords.
  • Generating maintenance reports.
  • Running administrative scripts.
• This approach limits broad access while still allowing essential tasks to be performed.

5. Enforce Separation of Duties

• Clearly document and enforce role-based access control policies.
• Separate responsibilities to ensure that no single user has unchecked power over the system.

6. Monitor and Audit Usage

• Regularly monitor and log the actions of users with *ALLOBJ authority.
• Generate reports and review them for suspicious or unnecessary activities.

7. Justify Use to Auditors

• Be prepared to explain why specific users have *ALLOBJ authority and how their activities are monitored.

The Developer Dilemma: Managing Requests for *ALLOBJ

In many organizations, developers request *ALLOBJ authority to simplify their work. Administrators often grant these requests to avoid audit overhead or perceived workflow disruptions. However, this convenience comes with tradeoffs:

• Ask Key Questions:

  • What are the risks of granting this authority to a developer?
  • Can their objectives be achieved without *ALLOBJ?

• Alternative Solutions:

  • Grant limited or temporary access.
  • Use tools and policies to enable specific actions without full system access.

Real-World Implications

Consider a scenario of a disgruntled employee with *ALLOBJ authority:

• They could expose confidential data to competitors or delete critical files.
• Even unintentional actions by a trusted user, such as misconfigured scripts, could result in operational and financial damage.

Such scenarios underscore the need for strict governance and oversight over *ALLOBJ authority.

In Closing

*ALLOBJ is a double-edged sword. While it is essential for some administrative tasks, its misuse can have catastrophic consequences for system security and compliance. Organizations must adopt a proactive approach to managing *ALLOBJ authority by:

• Limiting its use.
• Implementing robust monitoring and auditing practices.
• Educating users about its risks.

Some further reading references:

• [Special Authorities] (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/special-authorities)
• [I've got ALLOBJ authority and I 'am not afraid to use it!] (https://www.fortra.com/resources/articles/ive-got-allobj-authority-and-im-not-afraid-use-it-part-2)
• [PowerTech Authority Broker] (https://www.fortra.com/products/identification-and-access-management-software-ibm-i)