How can I resolve a 403 authorization error when using a bearer token for Azure search?

Question

I'm attempting to perform a search request using a bearer token instead of an API key for added security. However, I'm receiving a 403 error with the message "Authorization failed" when I use the bearer token. This request works fine when I use an API key instead. I am also able to successfully request {search-resource}/indexes and {search-resource}/indexes/{index} using the bearer token, but I receive the error when calling {search-resource}/indexes/{index}/docs. Can anyone help me resolve this issue?

Error message:
{

"error": {

	"code": "",

	"message": "Authorization failed."

}

}

Answer 1

Hi @Mateo Perez Rivera

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum!

It sounds like you’re encountering a permissions issue with your bearer token. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

Check Token Scope and Permissions: Ensure that the bearer token has the necessary permissions to access the specific endpoint {search-resource}/indexes/{index}/docs. Sometimes, tokens might have limited scopes that do not cover all endpoints1.

Token Expiry: Verify that the token is not expired. Tokens have a limited lifespan, and using an expired token will result in authorization errors2.

Role and Policy Configuration: If your API uses role-based access control, make sure the token includes the required roles or claims to access the endpoint. This might involve checking your API’s authorization policies and ensuring the token meets those requirements3.

Token Validation: Ensure that the token is correctly formatted and valid. Any issues with the token’s structure or signature can lead to authorization failures2.

API Configuration: Double-check your API’s configuration to ensure that it correctly handles bearer tokens. Sometimes, specific endpoints might have different authorization requirements1.

If you’ve verified all these aspects and still face issues, you might want to look into the specific error logs or consult the documentation of the API you’re working with for more detailed troubleshooting steps.

Best regards,