VA-003 Compare and configure secrets engines Practice Question
An organization uses a PostgreSQL database. They configure a database secrets engine with a role that grants read-only access. However, after revoking the lease, the database user still exists. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume Vault automatically removes database users on lease revocation, but in reality, the revocation behavior must be explicitly defined in the connection configuration; otherwise, no cleanup occurs.
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 revocation statement is not configured in the database connection
When a database secrets engine role is configured in Vault, the revocation statement (e.g., `ALTER USER "{{name}}" NOLOGIN;` or `DROP USER IF EXISTS "{{name}}";`) must be explicitly defined in the database connection's `rotation_statements` or `revocation_statements`. If no revocation statement is set, Vault will successfully create and manage the database user but will not execute any SQL to disable or drop that user when the lease is revoked, leaving the user active in PostgreSQL.
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 database secrets engine does not support revocation
Why it's wrong here
Database engine supports revocation; if configured correctly, it removes users.
- ✗
The role's default_ttl is set too high
Why it's wrong here
High TTL delays revocation but does not prevent it.
- ✗
The lease duration is too long
Why it's wrong here
Lease duration affects when revocation occurs, not whether it succeeds.
- ✓
The revocation statement is not configured in the database connection
Why this is correct
If no revocation statement is set, Vault cannot delete the user on lease revocation.
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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.