VA-003 Compare authentication methods Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
# config.json
{
"backend": "[
{
"type": "approle",
"path": "approle/",
"config": {
"default_lease_ttl": "1h",
"max_lease_ttl": "24h"
},
"options": {}
}
]
}
```A Vault administrator is configuring AppRole authentication via the configuration file shown. After running `vault server -config=config.json`, they try to enable AppRole at a different path. What will happen?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often think the configuration file's path setting locks the auth method to that specific path, preventing it from being enabled elsewhere, when in fact Vault allows multiple mounts of the same auth method type at different paths.
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
✓
The admin can enable AppRole at another path without issues.
AppRole authentication can be enabled at any mount path, regardless of whether it is pre-configured in the Vault configuration file. The configuration file only defines the initial backend settings; it does not prevent the admin from enabling the same auth method at a different path using the `vault auth enable` command. Vault allows multiple mounts of the same auth method type at different paths, each with its own configuration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The backend will be disabled when Vault starts.
Why it's wrong here
The config enables the backend.
- ✗
The admin must modify the config file to change the path.
Why it's wrong here
The admin can use CLI to enable another mount.
- ✓
The admin can enable AppRole at another path without issues.
Why this is correct
Multiple AppRole mounts can exist at different paths.
- ✗
Vault will fail to start because the path is already used.
Why it's wrong here
The config file only pre-configures the mount, it does not block other mounts.
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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.