VA-003 Explain Vault architecture Practice Question
Exhibit
path "secret/data/engineering" {
capabilities = ["read", "list"]
}
path "secret/data/finance" {
capabilities = ["deny"]
}
path "secret/data/engineering/*" {
capabilities = ["create", "update", "delete"]
}
path "secret/data/finance/*" {
capabilities = ["deny"]
}Refer to the exhibit. A Vault policy is defined as shown. A user presents a token with this policy. Which operation will be permitted?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the nuance that a policy with only `deny` on a path does not grant any capabilities, so operations like `list` or `read` on that path are implicitly denied, leading candidates to mistakenly assume a `deny` entry implies some form of access.
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
✓
Create secret/data/engineering/config
The policy grants `create` and `update` capabilities on `secret/data/engineering/*`, which allows creating secrets under that path. Option C is correct because the `create` capability permits writing a new secret at `secret/data/engineering/config`, as the path matches the glob pattern and the operation is a write (POST/PUT).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
List secret/data/finance
Why it's wrong here
Denied by the exact path deny on secret/data/finance.
- ✗
Delete secret/data/finance/budget
Why it's wrong here
The glob deny on secret/data/finance/* denies all operations.
- ✓
Create secret/data/engineering/config
Why this is correct
The glob secret/data/engineering/* grants create capability.
- ✗
Read secret/data/finance
Why it's wrong here
Exact path deny overrides the glob for secret/data/finance.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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