VA-003 Utilize Vault CLI and API Practice Question
An operator runs `vault lease renew -increment=3600 database/creds/readonly/abc123` and gets an error: 'Error renewing lease: Error making API request. URL: PUT https://vault.example.com/v1/sys/leases/renew. Code: 400. Errors: * invalid lease ID'. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between a role path and a lease ID, trapping candidates who assume the role path is the lease ID because it looks similar to the path used in `vault read` commands.
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 lease ID is incomplete; it should include the full path like 'database/creds/readonly/abc123'
The error 'invalid lease ID' indicates that the lease ID provided to the `vault lease renew` command is malformed or incomplete. In Vault, a lease ID for dynamic secrets like database credentials is a full path that includes the mount point, role name, and a unique UUID (e.g., `database/creds/readonly/abc123/xyz789`). The command only passed `database/creds/readonly/abc123`, which is the role path, not the full lease ID. The correct lease ID can be retrieved from the initial secret response or via `vault list sys/leases/lookup/database/creds/readonly`.
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 lease has already expired and cannot be renewed
Why it's wrong here
An expired lease would give a different error.
- ✗
The increment value is too large and exceeds the maximum TTL
Why it's wrong here
400 errors can be due to TTL but the error message clearly states 'invalid lease ID'.
- ✓
The lease ID is incomplete; it should include the full path like 'database/creds/readonly/abc123'
Why this is correct
The lease ID must be the full ID, not just the suffix.
- ✗
The operator does not have permission to renew leases
Why it's wrong here
Permission denied would be a 403 error.
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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.