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Informix Error -8231: DBSECADM cannot be granted to user <user-name>. </user-name>

Cause and resolution

DBSECADM cannot be granted to user <user-name>. </user-name>

The GRANT statement attempted to grant DBSECADM to an authorization name that is not allowed to receive that authority. The DBSECADM authority can only be granted to an individual user.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-8231 fires when GRANT DBSECADM targets an authorization name that isn't allowed to receive it — per the official guidance, DBSECADM can only be granted to an individual user.

  1. DBSECADM granted to something other than an individual user (e.g. PUBLIC or a role), per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Grant DBSECADM only to an individual user, per the official guidance.
Examples
Granting DBSECADM to a role
GRANT DBSECADM TO admin_role;
-- -8231: DBSECADM can only go to an individual user
Corrected
GRANT DBSECADM TO jdoe;
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check the target of GRANT DBSECADM, and confirm it's an individual user name.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -8217 — "Cannot specify PUBLIC or a role name." A related grant-target restriction, for security labels/exemptions rather than DBSECADM specifically.

DBSECADM was granted to something other than an individual user — grant it only to a user.