This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of implement azure security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs.. 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.
A single-page app signs in users with Microsoft Entra ID and calls a protected API. The app cannot safely keep a client secret. Which OAuth flow should be used? The architecture review board prefers a managed AWS-native control.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Authorization code flow with PKCE
The authorization code flow with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) is the correct choice because it is designed for public clients (like single-page apps) that cannot securely store a client secret. PKCE uses a dynamically generated cryptographic code verifier and challenge to prevent authorization code interception attacks, making it the recommended OAuth 2.0 flow for SPAs calling protected APIs in Microsoft Entra ID.
Key principle: Authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Implicit flow
Why it's wrong here
Implicit flow is legacy and less secure than authorization code with PKCE.
✗
Client credentials flow
Why it's wrong here
Client credentials is for daemon/service-to-service access, not user sign-in in a SPA.
✗
Resource owner password credentials flow
Why it's wrong here
ROPC is discouraged and incompatible with many modern security controls.
✓
Authorization code flow with PKCE
Why this is correct
PKCE protects public clients that cannot store secrets and is recommended for SPAs.
Related concept
Authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the implicit flow (which was historically used for SPAs) with the modern PKCE-enhanced authorization code flow, not realizing that the implicit flow is now deprecated and the authorization code flow with PKCE is the current best practice for public clients.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, PKCE works by having the SPA generate a cryptographically random code_verifier (a high-entropy string) and its SHA-256 hash as the code_challenge. During the authorization request, the code_challenge is sent; when exchanging the authorization code for tokens, the original code_verifier must be provided, ensuring that even if the authorization code is intercepted, it cannot be redeemed without the verifier. In a real-world scenario, this prevents attacks where a malicious app or script intercepts the redirect URI and steals the authorization code.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs.
PKCE prevents authorization code interception attacks by requiring a code verifier.
Access tokens are exchanged via a secure back-channel, not exposed in the browser.
It supports refresh tokens for long-lived sessions, unlike the Implicit flow.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-204 question in full detail.
Review authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs., then practise related AZ-204 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Implement Azure security — This question tests Implement Azure security — Authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Authorization code flow with PKCE — The authorization code flow with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) is the correct choice because it is designed for public clients (like single-page apps) that cannot securely store a client secret. PKCE uses a dynamically generated cryptographic code verifier and challenge to prevent authorization code interception attacks, making it the recommended OAuth 2.0 flow for SPAs calling protected APIs in Microsoft Entra ID.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Review authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs., then practise related AZ-204 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authorization Code Flow with PKCE is recommended for public clients like SPAs.
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