SQL Server on RDS throwing "Unauthorized job modification" error

Question

I have a SQL Server Web Edition (engine version 15.00.4073.23.v1) instance on RDS.

7 days ago, it started throwing the following error every day at 2:00am PST:
Error: 50000, Severity: 16, State: 1.
Unauthorized job modification

How can I determine the source of this error?

The SQL Server logs do not provide any more info than above. Error code 50000 is reserved for general "user defined" error messages, but this error is not generated by any of our stored procedures of functions. Since it happens daily at the same time, perhaps its related to a AWS RDS maintenance or monitoring procedure?

re:Post Agent · Answer

The error you're seeing is likely related to a scheduled job or maintenance activity on your RDS SQL Server instance. Since it occurs consistently at 2:00am PST, it suggests an automated process.

To investigate this issue, you can:

1. Check the SQL Server error logs more thoroughly using the following command:
```
EXEC rdsadmin.dbo.rds_read_error_log @index = 0, @type = 1, @search_str1= 'Unauthorized job';
```

2. Look for any CloudWatch logs that might contain more detailed information. Since RDS for SQL Server publishes error logs to CloudWatch, you can:
- Go to the CloudWatch console
- Under "Logs" in the navigation pane, choose "Log groups"
- Find the log group for your SQL Server instance (typically named `/aws/rds/instance/your-db-instance-name/error`)
- Check the log streams around the time the error occurs

3. Verify if your user has the appropriate permissions. The error might be occurring because a scheduled job is trying to run with insufficient permissions. You may need to add your user to the appropriate role (like 'db_backupoperator') for specific databases.

4. Check if this is related to RDS Custom for SQL Server compatibility. Your engine version (15.00.4073.23.v1) appears to be a classic RDS Custom for SQL Server engine version, which might have specific limitations or requirements.

Common SQL Server error codes to look for in conjunction with this error include 1105 (space allocation issues), 3041 (backup failures), 9002 (transaction log full), and others that might provide context to the main error.  
**Sources**  
[Set up proactive monitoring for Amazon RDS for SQL Server with real-time Slack notifications | AWS Database Blog](https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/database/set-up-proactive-monitoring-for-amazon-rds-for-sql-server-with-real-time-slack-notifications/)  
[I want to backup microsoft SQL database to RDS. I have setup all prerequisites now I am having error while msdb.dbo.rds_backup_database command | AWS re:Post](https://repost.aws/questions/QUK8j5u2uhRSGMOKnZlS8XYw/i-want-to-backup-microsoft-sql-database-to-rds-i-have-setup-all-prerequisites-now-i-am-having-error-while-msdb-dbo-rds-backup-database-command)  
[Troubleshooting DB issues for Amazon RDS Custom for SQL Server - Amazon Relational Database Service](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/custom-troubleshooting-sqlserver.html)  
[Viewing server logs - SQL Server to Aurora PostgreSQL Migration Playbook](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/dms/latest/sql-server-to-aurora-postgresql-migration-playbook/chap-sql-server-aurora-pg.management.serverlogs.html)  
[DownloadDBLogFilePortion - Amazon Relational Database Service](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/APIReference/API_DownloadDBLogFilePortion.html)

SQL Server on RDS throwing "Unauthorized job modification" error

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