---
title: EMR without VPC
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
  Security > IaC Security Rules > EMR without VPC
---

# EMR without VPC

{% callout %}
# Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com, us2.ddog-gov.com

{% alert level="danger" %}
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## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**Id:** `cloudformation-aws-emr-wihout-vpc` 

**Provider:** AWS

**Platform:** CloudFormation

**Severity:** Low

**Category:** Networking and Firewall

#### Learn More{% #learn-more %}

- [Provider Reference](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/aws-properties-elasticmapreduce-cluster-jobflowinstancesconfig.html#cfn-elasticmapreduce-cluster-jobflowinstancesconfig-ec2subnetid)

### Description{% #description %}

EMR clusters must be launched inside a VPC to ensure network isolation and to allow enforcement of security controls such as security groups, private subnet routing, and network ACLs. Omitting a VPC subnet can make cluster nodes publicly reachable or prevent VPC-level access restrictions.

In CloudFormation, `AWS::EMR::Cluster` resources must define either `Properties.Instances.Ec2SubnetId` (single subnet) or `Properties.Instances.Ec2SubnetIds` (list of subnets) with non-null values. Resources missing both properties or containing `null` or empty values will be flagged.

Secure configuration example:

```yaml
MyEMRCluster:
  Type: AWS::EMR::Cluster
  Properties:
    Name: my-emr-cluster
    ReleaseLabel: emr-6.10.0
    Instances:
      Ec2SubnetId: !Ref MyPrivateSubnet
      MasterInstanceGroup:
        InstanceCount: 1
        InstanceType: m5.xlarge
      CoreInstanceGroup:
        InstanceCount: 2
        InstanceType: m5.xlarge
    ServiceRole: !Ref EMRServiceRole
    JobFlowRole: !Ref EMRInstanceProfile
```

## Compliant Code Examples{% #compliant-code-examples %}

```yaml
AWSTemplateFormatVersion: 2010-09-09
Parameters:
  CustomAmiId:
    Type: String
  InstanceType:
    Type: String
  ReleaseLabel:
    Type: String
  SubnetId:
    Type: String
  TerminationProtected:
    Type: String
    Default: 'false'
  ElasticMapReducePrincipal:
    Type: String
  Ec2Principal:
    Type: String
Resources:
  cluster:
    Type: AWS::EMR::Cluster
    Properties:
      CustomAmiId: !Ref CustomAmiId
      Instances:
        MasterInstanceGroup:
          InstanceCount: 1
          InstanceType: !Ref InstanceType
          Market: ON_DEMAND
          Name: cfnMaster
        CoreInstanceGroup:
          InstanceCount: 1
          InstanceType: !Ref InstanceType
          Market: ON_DEMAND
          Name: cfnCore
        TerminationProtected: !Ref TerminationProtected
        Ec2SubnetId: !Ref SubnetId
      Name: CFNtest
      JobFlowRole: !Ref emrEc2InstanceProfile
      ServiceRole: !Ref emrRole
      ReleaseLabel: !Ref ReleaseLabel
      VisibleToAllUsers: true
      Tags:
        - Key: key1
          Value: value1
  emrRole:
    Type: AWS::IAM::Role
    Properties:
      AssumeRolePolicyDocument:
        Version: 2008-10-17
        Statement:
          - Sid: ''
            Effect: Allow
            Principal:
              Service: !Ref ElasticMapReducePrincipal
            Action: 'sts:AssumeRole'
      Path: /
      ManagedPolicyArns:
        - 'arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/service-role/AmazonElasticMapReduceRole'
  emrEc2Role:
    Type: AWS::IAM::Role
    Properties:
      AssumeRolePolicyDocument:
        Version: 2008-10-17
        Statement:
          - Sid: ''
            Effect: Allow
            Principal:
              Service: !Ref Ec2Principal
            Action: 'sts:AssumeRole'
      Path: /
      ManagedPolicyArns:
        - 'arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/service-role/AmazonElasticMapReduceforEC2Role'
  emrEc2InstanceProfile:
    Type: AWS::IAM::InstanceProfile
    Properties:
      Path: /
      Roles:
        - !Ref emrEc2Role
```

## Non-Compliant Code Examples{% #non-compliant-code-examples %}

```yaml
AWSTemplateFormatVersion: 2010-09-09
Parameters:
  CustomAmiId:
    Type: String
  InstanceType:
    Type: String
  ReleaseLabel:
    Type: String
  SubnetId:
    Type: String
  TerminationProtected:
    Type: String
    Default: 'false'
  ElasticMapReducePrincipal:
    Type: String
  Ec2Principal:
    Type: String
Resources:
  cluster:
    Type: AWS::EMR::Cluster
    Properties:
      CustomAmiId: !Ref CustomAmiId
      Instances:
        MasterInstanceGroup:
          InstanceCount: 1
          InstanceType: !Ref InstanceType
          Market: ON_DEMAND
          Name: cfnMaster
        CoreInstanceGroup:
          InstanceCount: 1
          InstanceType: !Ref InstanceType
          Market: ON_DEMAND
          Name: cfnCore
        TerminationProtected: !Ref TerminationProtected
      Name: CFNtest
      JobFlowRole: !Ref emrEc2InstanceProfile
      ServiceRole: !Ref emrRole
      ReleaseLabel: !Ref ReleaseLabel
      VisibleToAllUsers: true
      Tags:
        - Key: key1
          Value: value1
  emrRole:
    Type: AWS::IAM::Role
    Properties:
      AssumeRolePolicyDocument:
        Version: 2008-10-17
        Statement:
          - Sid: ''
            Effect: Allow
            Principal:
              Service: !Ref ElasticMapReducePrincipal
            Action: 'sts:AssumeRole'
      Path: /
      ManagedPolicyArns:
        - 'arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/service-role/AmazonElasticMapReduceRole'
  emrEc2Role:
    Type: AWS::IAM::Role
    Properties:
      AssumeRolePolicyDocument:
        Version: 2008-10-17
        Statement:
          - Sid: ''
            Effect: Allow
            Principal:
              Service: !Ref Ec2Principal
            Action: 'sts:AssumeRole'
      Path: /
      ManagedPolicyArns:
        - 'arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/service-role/AmazonElasticMapReduceforEC2Role'
  emrEc2InstanceProfile:
    Type: AWS::IAM::InstanceProfile
    Properties:
      Path: /
      Roles:
        - !Ref emrEc2Role
```