VA-003 Utilize Vault CLI and API Practice Question
An operator wants to enable the AWS auth method at the default path. Which curl command is correct?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between the correct HTTP method (POST vs PUT) and the exact payload field name (`type` vs `method`), as candidates may confuse the API for enabling auth methods with other Vault operations that use PUT or different field names.
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
✓
curl -X POST -H "X-Vault-Token: s.abc" -d '{"type":"aws"}' https://vault:8200/v1/sys/auth/aws
Enabling an auth method at the default path requires a POST request to the `/v1/sys/auth/aws` endpoint with a JSON payload containing the `type` field set to `"aws"`. The POST method is used to create a new mount, and the trailing slash is optional but accepted. The `X-Vault-Token` header provides the necessary authentication token.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
curl -X POST -H "X-Vault-Token: s.abc" -d '{"type":"aws"}' https://vault:8200/v1/sys/auth/aws/
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; trailing slash may cause issues; the correct path is without trailing slash.
- ✗
curl -X PUT -H "X-Vault-Token: s.abc" -d '{"type":"aws"}' https://vault:8200/v1/sys/auth/aws
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; the correct HTTP method is POST for enabling auth methods.
- ✗
curl -X POST -H "X-Vault-Token: s.abc" -d '{"method":"aws"}' https://vault:8200/v1/sys/auth/aws
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; the JSON key should be 'type', not 'method'.
- ✓
curl -X POST -H "X-Vault-Token: s.abc" -d '{"type":"aws"}' https://vault:8200/v1/sys/auth/aws
Why this is correct
Correct; POST to /v1/sys/auth/aws with type 'aws' enables the AWS auth method.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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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.