A method, system and apparatus for automated management and validation of access permissions to referenced shared resources. A method for access validation and management of access permissions to referenced shared resources in a networked environment can include incorporating a reference to an underlying shared resource within a primary shared resource configured for distribution in the networked environment and specifying a designated viewer for the primary shared resource. It can be determined whether the designated viewer is permitted to access the underlying shared resource. Before providing the primary shared resource to the designated viewer, however, an author of the primary shared resource can be notified when the designated viewer is determined not to be permitted to access the underlying shared resource.