Cursor error
Cursor: Validation fails with access denied
Validation fails with access deniedStatus: WorkaroundLast verified 4 documented fixes1 source
What it means
Connecting a team's AWS Bedrock account through an IAM role fails validation with access denied (documented troubleshooting symptom).
Causes
- Incorrect IAM role ARN.
- Trust policy does not include Cursor's cross-account ARN.
- External ID does not match.
- The test model is not enabled in Bedrock.
How to fix it
- Fix 1.
Verify the IAM role ARN is correct.
- Fix 2.
Check that the trust policy includes Cursor's cross-account ARN.
Snippetarn:aws:iam::289469326074:role/roleAssumer - Fix 3.
Confirm the External ID matches exactly, and ensure the test model is enabled in Bedrock.
- Fix 4.
If requests still route through Cursor after validation, enable the AWS Bedrock toggle in Cursor Settings > Models (off by default for each user) and select an explicit Bedrock model ID such as us.anthropic.claude-sonnet-5; restart Cursor if the Bedrock section does not appear.
More Cursor errors
All 18 Cursor errorsAgent Execution Timed OutStatus: WorkaroundTimeout waiting for EverythingProviderStatus: Workaround<filename> is too large (4MB limit)Status: By designCursor is damagedStatus: Workaroundsuspicious activityStatus: Workaroundxcrun: error: unable to find utility "mcpbridge"Status: Workaroundmissing tabIdentifierStatus: WorkaroundPrivate worker limit exceededStatus: By design
Related reading
- Do Your Agent Hooks Fail Open? Claude Code vs Codex vs Cursor vs Gemini CLIA guard hook that crashes, times out or points at a missing script lets the tool call through by default in Claude Code. v2.1.295 adds onFailure: block. Here is what each coding agent does when your policy hook breaks, with real test runs.
- How to Keep API Keys Away From Your AI Coding Agent: Claude Code vs Codex vs Cursor vs Gemini CLIA deny rule on .env stops cat but not a Python one-liner. Here are the three layers that actually keep secrets out of a coding agent's context - file rules, environment scrubbing and credential masking - and what Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and Gemini CLI give you for each, with real test runs.
- Antigravity vs Cursor (2026): Pricing, Limits, Models, and Which to PickAntigravity vs Cursor: Antigravity is free with a weekly limit; Cursor starts at $20/month with the widest model menu. Pricing, limits and a decision guide.
- Slack Code vs Claude Code vs Cursor vs OpenCode: When Agents Belong in ChatSlack Code gives coding agents their own Slack channels with diffs, previews, and an audit log. When it beats Claude Code, Cursor, or OpenCode, and when not.
- Cursor Removes Dollar Costs From Usage Page: Tokens OnlyCursor removed dollar costs from its Usage page on July 31: self-serve plans see tokens only and the dashboard API zeroes cost fields, history included.
- AI Coding Agent Security Models Compared 2026: Permissions, Sandboxing, and Threat Models for Every Major ToolAI coding agent security models compared: how Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Copilot, Aider and Windsurf handle permissions, sandboxing and prompt injection.
FAQ
What does "Validation fails with access denied" mean in Cursor?
Connecting a team's AWS Bedrock account through an IAM role fails validation with access denied (documented troubleshooting symptom).
How do I fix "Validation fails with access denied"?
There are 4 documented fixes. Start with the first: Verify the IAM role ARN is correct.
Is this Cursor error fixed?
Status: Workaround. No release removes the cause. The documented fixes work around it.
Sources
Last verified against 1 source: official docs, maintainer replies and release notes.
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