Unable to drop user in Azure Database for PostgreSQL servers with the admin user

@Chatterjee, Somnath I hope you are doing well

As a security engineer I will do my best trying to help you addressing your issue with the Azure Database for PostgreSQL server, the error you're encountering when attempting to drop the user pegapgadmin this indicates that the user owns objects (e.g., databases, tables, schemas) or has privileges that prevent the DROP USER operation. Additionally, the failure of the REASSIGN OWNED command suggests that the admin user you're using lacks sufficient privileges to perform these operations. This is a common issue in Azure Database for PostgreSQL due to its managed nature and the restricted privileges of the admin user. Below, I’ll explain the issue, provide troubleshooting steps, and outline security considerations specific to Azure.

Let me explain in a few topics

Understanding the Issue

In Azure Database for PostgreSQL, the admin user (created during database setup, e.g., myadmin@servername) has elevated privileges but is not a superuser. This is a deliberate design choice in Azure’s managed PostgreSQL service to enhance security and prevent risky operations. The errors you’re seeing indicate:

1. Error on DROP USER:
   • ERROR: role "pegapgadmin" cannot be dropped because some objects depend on it (SQL state: 2BP01) means the pegapgadmin role owns objects (e.g., database hubawmd101) or has privileges that must be revoked or reassigned before dropping the role.
   1. Error on REASSIGN OWNED:
      • ERROR: permission denied to reassign objects (SQL state: 42501) indicates that the admin user lacks the necessary permissions to reassign ownership of objects owned by pegapgadmin.

These restrictions are due to Azure’s managed PostgreSQL environment, where certain superuser-level operations (e.g., REASSIGN OWNED, dropping roles with dependencies) are limited, even for the admin user.

Potential Causes

1. Object Dependencies:
   • The pegapgadmin role owns objects such as tables, schemas, or the database hubawmd101, or it has privileges (e.g., GRANT permissions) on these objects.
   • PostgreSQL prevents dropping a role until all dependencies are resolved (e.g., ownership transferred or privileges revoked).
2. Limited Admin Privileges:
   • The Azure admin user (myadmin@servername) is not a full superuser and lacks permissions to perform operations like REASSIGN OWNED or to modify objects owned by other roles without explicit grants.
3. Role Hierarchy:
   • The pegapgadmin role may have been created with privileges equal to or higher than the admin user, or it may have inherited roles that complicate dependency management.
4. Azure-Specific Restrictions:
   • Azure Database for PostgreSQL restricts certain superuser commands, and some operations require workarounds or manual privilege management.
5. Misconfigured Privileges:
   • The pegapgadmin role may have been granted privileges directly on the database or objects, which the admin user cannot revoke due to missing permissions.As a security engineer addressing your issue with the Azure Database for PostgreSQL server, the error you're encountering when attempting to drop the user pegapgadmin indicates that the user owns objects (e.g., databases, tables, schemas) or has privileges that prevent the DROP USER operation. Additionally, the failure of the REASSIGN OWNED command suggests that the admin user you're using lacks sufficient privileges to perform these operations. This is a common issue in Azure Database for PostgreSQL due to its managed nature and the restricted privileges of the admin user. Below, I’ll explain the issue, provide troubleshooting steps, and outline security considerations specific to Azure. Understanding the Issue In Azure Database for PostgreSQL, the admin user (created during database setup, e.g., myadmin@servername) has elevated privileges but is not a superuser. This is a deliberate design choice in Azure’s managed PostgreSQL service to enhance security and prevent risky operations. The errors you’re seeing indicate:
   1. Error on DROP USER:
      • ERROR: role "pegapgadmin" cannot be dropped because some objects depend on it (SQL state: 2BP01) means the pegapgadmin role owns objects (e.g., database hubawmd101) or has privileges that must be revoked or reassigned before dropping the role.
   2. Error on REASSIGN OWNED:
      • ERROR: permission denied to reassign objects (SQL state: 42501) indicates that the admin user lacks the necessary permissions to reassign ownership of objects owned by pegapgadmin.
   These restrictions are due to Azure’s managed PostgreSQL environment, where certain superuser-level operations (e.g., REASSIGN OWNED, dropping roles with dependencies) are limited, even for the admin user. Potential Causes
   1. Object Dependencies:
      • The pegapgadmin role owns objects such as tables, schemas, or the database hubawmd101, or it has privileges (e.g., GRANT permissions) on these objects.
      • PostgreSQL prevents dropping a role until all dependencies are resolved (e.g., ownership transferred or privileges revoked).
   2. Limited Admin Privileges:
      • The Azure admin user (myadmin@servername) is not a full superuser and lacks permissions to perform operations like REASSIGN OWNED or to modify objects owned by other roles without explicit grants.
   3. Role Hierarchy:
      • The pegapgadmin role may have been created with privileges equal to or higher than the admin user, or it may have inherited roles that complicate dependency management.
   4. Azure-Specific Restrictions:
      • Azure Database for PostgreSQL restricts certain superuser commands, and some operations require workarounds or manual privilege management.
   5. Misconfigured Privileges:
      • The pegapgadmin role may have been granted privileges directly on the database or objects, which the admin user cannot revoke due to missing permissions.
      • I hope this clarifies things.

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