VA-003 Utilize Vault CLI and API Practice Question
A user wants to log in using the userpass auth method with username 'jdoe' and password 'p@ssw0rd'. What is the correct API endpoint and request?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the misconception that authentication requests can use GET or PUT methods or pass credentials in headers or query parameters, when Vault strictly requires POST with a JSON body for login endpoints.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
POST /v1/auth/userpass/login/jdoe with JSON body {"password":"p@ssw0rd"}
The userpass auth method in Vault requires a POST request to the login endpoint with the password provided in the JSON body. Option D correctly uses POST /v1/auth/userpass/login/jdoe with {"password":"p@ssw0rd"}, which matches the Vault API specification for authenticating against a userpass backend.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
GET /v1/auth/userpass/login/jdoe with header "password: p@ssw0rd"
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; login requires POST and password in body.
- ✗
PUT /v1/auth/userpass/login/jdoe with JSON body {"password":"p@ssw0rd"}
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; login endpoint uses POST, not PUT.
- ✗
POST /v1/auth/userpass/login/jdoe?password=p@ssw0rd
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; password should be in request body, not query parameter.
- ✓
POST /v1/auth/userpass/login/jdoe with JSON body {"password":"p@ssw0rd"}
Why this is correct
Correct; standard userpass login API call.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This VA-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the VA-003 exam.