Argo CD Users are unable to access Argo CD resources due to permission errors.

Incorrect RBAC settings prevent users from accessing Argo CD resources.

Understanding Argo CD

Argo CD is a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes. It automates the deployment of the desired application states in the specified target environments. Argo CD monitors applications and ensures that the live state matches the desired target state defined in Git repositories.

Identifying the Symptom

When users encounter issues accessing Argo CD resources, they may see error messages indicating permission denied or unauthorized access. These errors typically manifest when attempting to view applications, projects, or perform actions within the Argo CD UI or CLI.

Common Error Messages

  • "Permission denied"
  • "Unauthorized access"
  • "You do not have permission to view this resource"

Understanding the Issue

The root cause of these access issues is often a misconfiguration in the Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) settings within Argo CD. RBAC is a method of regulating access to computer or network resources based on the roles of individual users within an enterprise. In Argo CD, RBAC policies define what actions users can perform and what resources they can access.

RBAC Configuration

RBAC policies in Argo CD are defined in a ConfigMap named argocd-rbac-cm. This ConfigMap contains roles and policies that specify permissions for users and groups.

Steps to Fix the Issue

To resolve RBAC misconfiguration issues in Argo CD, follow these steps:

Step 1: Review Current RBAC Policies

Access the Argo CD ConfigMap to review existing RBAC policies. You can do this using the following command:

kubectl -n argocd get configmap argocd-rbac-cm -o yaml

Check the policies section for any misconfigurations or missing roles.

Step 2: Modify RBAC Policies

Update the ConfigMap to correct any misconfigurations. Ensure that the policies align with the desired access levels for users and groups. For example, to grant read access to a user, you might add:


apiVersion: v1
kind: ConfigMap
metadata:
name: argocd-rbac-cm
namespace: argocd
data:
policy.csv: |
p, role:readonly, applications, get, */*, allow
g, user, role:readonly

Apply the changes using:

kubectl -n argocd apply -f argocd-rbac-cm.yaml

Step 3: Verify Changes

After updating the RBAC policies, verify that users can access the resources as expected. Test by logging in as the affected user and attempting to perform the previously restricted actions.

Additional Resources

For more information on configuring RBAC in Argo CD, refer to the official Argo CD RBAC documentation. Additionally, the Kubernetes RBAC documentation provides a comprehensive overview of RBAC concepts and configurations.

Master

Argo CD

in Minutes — Grab the Ultimate Cheatsheet

(Perfect for DevOps & SREs)

Most-used commands
Real-world configs/examples
Handy troubleshooting shortcuts
Your email is safe with us. No spam, ever.

Thankyou for your submission

We have sent the cheatsheet on your email!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Argo CD

Cheatsheet

(Perfect for DevOps & SREs)

Most-used commands
Your email is safe with us. No spam, ever.

Thankyou for your submission

We have sent the cheatsheet on your email!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

MORE ISSUES

Made with ❤️ in Bangalore & San Francisco 🏢

Doctor Droid