# Restart the awslogs container after refreshing shared temporary credentials > Docker awslogs reads shared-file credentials when the container starts. A later file refresh does not automatically update that running container's credentials. - Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/restart-the-awslogs-container-after-refreshing-shared-temporary-credentials/ - Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security) - Author: DSE Security Editorial Team - Published: 2026-10-29T17:40:49+00:00 - Modified: 2026-10-29T17:41:39+00:00 - Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-10-29 - Resource type: Guide - DSE priority: Advisory - Topics: Cybersecurity, IT - Reading time: 3 minutes ## What you need to know Docker awslogs reads shared-file credentials when the container starts. A later file refresh does not automatically update that running container's credentials. ## Potentially affected Review scope: Docker awslogs using temporary credentials from the shared AWS credentials file; other credential providers and deployment restart procedures require separate confirmation. ## DSE recommendation Include an authorized container restart after refreshing shared temporary credentials, then reconcile actual CloudWatch delivery rather than closing the task at the file update. ## Article Bottom line: Include the running container in a shared-credential refresh plan. Keep the credential-file update and the subsequent log-delivery check as separate checkpoints, with the workload owner responsible for the authorized restart. ## Source fact: documented behavior The [Amazon CloudWatch Logs logging driver](https://docs.docker.com/engine/logging/drivers/awslogs/) documentation is the primary reference. Docker says the awslogs driver reads AWS credentials when the container starts; updating a shared file later does not automatically update the running container’s credentials. The guide warns that log delivery can fail when those temporary credentials expire and directs operators to restart the container after refreshing them. The credentials section lists environment variables, the root user’s shared AWS credentials file and an EC2 instance profile as different credential inputs. ## What the source does not establish This article is limited to the documented shared-file temporary-credential case. It does not prescribe behavior for every AWS credential provider, approve a container restart or establish that CloudWatch retained every log entry. Review actual credential selection, deployment availability and required record continuity independently. ## Applicability questions - Does this container actually use the shared temporary-credential file? - Which owner refreshes that file and tracks the expiry? - Which managed procedure can restart the container safely? - What destination-side evidence will confirm delivery after the change? ## DSE recommendation: coordinate refresh with the workload lifecycle DSE recommends adding the container owner to the credential-refresh procedure. Record the credential provider type, affected workload and responsible operator without recording access keys or session tokens. Confirm the shared-file case before applying this article’s restart guidance to an unfamiliar provider. Define the refresh and restart sequence in the workload’s managed operating process. Agree the allowed interruption and application checks with the service owner. Keep stateful workload handling within its existing procedure rather than treating a logging change as permission for an improvised stop and start. Prepare a nonsensitive, uniquely identifiable log record for the delivery check. Record its generation time and intended destination with the change. Inspect daemon-side errors through the approved path and compare them with destination observations. Do not place credential values in the diagnostic record or print the shared file to demonstrate that it changed. Resolve missing records explicitly. Distinguish successful credential refresh, completed restart, application recovery and observed destination delivery. If continuity requirements were not met, retain the gap and its owner instead of marking the task successful because a recent entry appeared. Keep provider redesign or a move to another credential mechanism as a separate reviewed decision. ## Verification and evidence Proposed verification, not performed: use an approved nonproduction container and disposable temporary credentials through the documented shared-file mechanism. Write the expected refresh and restart checkpoints before the exercise, and keep credential secrets outside captured output. Observe delivery around a controlled credential refresh, then perform the authorized container restart and check a new harmless marker at the intended destination. Retain timestamps, sanitized error observations, workload state and received marker identities. Do not deliberately interrupt important production logging to reproduce expiry. Report only the tested provider and lifecycle case, with unresolved delivery gaps retained. ## Official references - [Amazon CloudWatch Logs logging driver](https://docs.docker.com/engine/logging/drivers/awslogs/) — Docker Docs. Source review completed October 29, 2026. Recheck the official documentation and deployment-specific applicability before a production change. ## Primary reference - Name: Docker Docs — Amazon CloudWatch Logs logging driver - Authority: docs.docker.com - URL: https://docs.docker.com/engine/logging/drivers/awslogs/ - Source publication date: Not stated by the source ## Citation and use Preferred citation: “Restart the awslogs container after refreshing shared temporary credentials,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/restart-the-awslogs-container-after-refreshing-shared-temporary-credentials/ Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/ Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/ Copyright © 2026 Detection Systems & Engineering. All rights reserved.