VA-003 Compare and configure secrets engines Practice Question
Exhibit
$ vault read pki/issuer/intermediate-2020 Key Value --- ----- issuer_id 1234 issuer_name intermediate-2020 key_bits 2048 key_type rsa signature_bits 0
Refer to the exhibit. An operator issues a certificate using this intermediate CA. The resulting certificate uses SHA1 signature algorithm. The operator wants SHA256. What should they do?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between the CA's own signing algorithm (set at CA creation) and the role's signing algorithm (set per issuance), leading candidates to mistakenly think a role change can fix the CA's algorithm.
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
✓
Generate a new intermediate with signature_bits=256
The signature algorithm used by an intermediate CA is determined by the `signature_bits` parameter set when the intermediate CA's certificate is generated. To issue end-entity certificates with SHA256, the intermediate CA itself must be created with `signature_bits=256`. Simply changing a role or issuer after the intermediate exists does not retroactively alter the CA's signing key algorithm.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Generate a new intermediate with signature_bits=256
Why this is correct
The intermediate must be recreated with the desired signature bits.
- ✗
Set the issuer's signature_bits to 256 using vault write
Why it's wrong here
Issuer attributes are not modifiable after creation.
- ✗
Use a different issuer_name that already has SHA256
Why it's wrong here
Possible but not the direct fix; but the question expects creating a new intermediate.
- ✗
Change the role's signature_bits to 256
Why it's wrong here
Role does not control issuer signature algorithm.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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