This VA-003 practice question tests your understanding of compare and configure secrets engines. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
path "secret/data/*" {
capabilities = ["list"]
}Refer to the exhibit. A Vault policy allows 'list' on 'secret/data/*'. A user tries to list keys under 'secret/data/' and gets a permission denied error. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
path "secret/data/*" {
capabilities = ["list"]
}The user's token has no default policy
Why wrong: Default policy is not related to this error.
The policy lacks 'read' capability
Why wrong: List does not require read; the issue is the path.
The path must be 'secret/metadata/*' for list
List operations in KV v2 are on the metadata path.
The secrets engine is not enabled
Why wrong: If not enabled, a different error would occur.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The path must be 'secret/metadata/*' for list
C is correct because in Vault, listing keys under a KV v2 secrets engine requires the 'list' capability on the 'secret/metadata/*' path, not 'secret/data/*'. The 'data' path is used for reading and writing actual secret values, while 'metadata' is the correct path for listing and deleting metadata (including key names). The policy only grants 'list' on 'secret/data/*', which does not cover the list operation on the metadata endpoint, resulting in a permission denied error.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The user's token has no default policy
Why it's wrong here
Default policy is not related to this error.
The policy lacks 'read' capability
Why it's wrong here
List does not require read; the issue is the path.
The path must be 'secret/metadata/*' for list
Why this is correct
List operations in KV v2 are on the metadata path.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The secrets engine is not enabled
Why it's wrong here
If not enabled, a different error would occur.
Common exam traps
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between KV v1 and KV v2 path structures, specifically that 'list' operations in KV v2 require the 'metadata' path, not the 'data' path, which candidates frequently confuse because they assume the same path works for both reading and listing.
Detailed technical explanation
In Vault's KV v2 secrets engine, the path structure separates data operations (secret/data/*) from metadata operations (secret/metadata/*). The 'list' capability on 'secret/data/*' only allows listing subpaths under that data path (e.g., listing versions of a specific secret), not the top-level keys. To list all keys under a mount, you must grant 'list' on 'secret/metadata/*', which triggers the LIST HTTP method on the metadata endpoint. This is a common misconfiguration when migrating from KV v1 to KV v2, as KV v1 allowed listing directly on the data path.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Compare and configure secrets engines — This question tests Compare and configure secrets engines — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The path must be 'secret/metadata/*' for list — C is correct because in Vault, listing keys under a KV v2 secrets engine requires the 'list' capability on the 'secret/metadata/*' path, not 'secret/data/*'. The 'data' path is used for reading and writing actual secret values, while 'metadata' is the correct path for listing and deleting metadata (including key names). The policy only grants 'list' on 'secret/data/*', which does not cover the list operation on the metadata endpoint, resulting in a permission denied error.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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