VA-003 Utilize Vault CLI and API Practice Question
An application needs to read a secret using the Vault API after authenticating with an AppRole RoleID and SecretID. The application has already obtained a Vault token. Which API endpoint should be called to read a secret at 'secret/data/myapp' with the token?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between KV v1 and KV v2 API paths, specifically that KV v2 requires '/data/' in the path to read secrets, while KV v1 uses a flat path without '/data/'.
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
✓
GET /v1/secret/data/myapp
After authentication, the application already has a Vault token and needs to read a secret from the KV v2 secrets engine. The correct API endpoint for reading a secret from the KV v2 engine is GET /v1/secret/data/myapp, where 'secret' is the mount path and 'data' is the sub-path for KV v2 operations. The token is passed in the X-Vault-Token header, not in the URL.
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/secret/metadata/myapp
Why it's wrong here
This returns metadata, not the secret data.
- ✗
POST /v1/auth/approle/login
Why it's wrong here
This endpoint is used for login, not reading secrets.
- ✗
GET /v1/secret/myapp
Why it's wrong here
This path is used for KV v1, not v2.
- ✓
GET /v1/secret/data/myapp
Why this is correct
This is the standard API path to read a KV v2 secret.
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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.