- A
The vault-encrypted variable is used in a vars_prompt, which expects plaintext input; encrypted value cannot be prompted.
vars_prompt expects user to enter the value; a vault string cannot be prompted.
- B
The variable is defined in a vault-encrypted file without a prompt.
Why wrong: The prompt is defined, so it expects interactive input.
- C
The vault password file is corrupted or missing.
Why wrong: The error indicates password is required, but it was provided.
- D
The encrypted string includes extra whitespace or quotes that cause parsing issues.
Why wrong: Ansible handles vault strings properly; the issue is logical.
Question 209 of 528
Ansible Vault Encrypted String in vars_prompt
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of implement advanced ansible automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A system administrator uses the ansible-vault encrypt_string command to encrypt a sensitive variable. The variable is included in a playbook via a vars_prompt. When the playbook runs, the vault password is provided, but the playbook fails with 'Vault password is required for decryption' for the prompted variable. What is the most likely cause?
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.
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 vault-encrypted variable is used in a vars_prompt, which expects plaintext input; encrypted value cannot be prompted.
Option A is correct because `vars_prompt` in Ansible expects plaintext input from the user at runtime, not an encrypted vault string. When you use `ansible-vault encrypt_string` to encrypt a variable and then reference that encrypted value in a `vars_prompt`, the prompt mechanism cannot decrypt it on the fly — it treats the encrypted blob as a literal string and fails with 'Vault password is required for decryption' because it attempts to decrypt the prompted input as if it were a vault-encrypted variable, but the prompt itself does not support vault decryption.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 vault-encrypted variable is used in a vars_prompt, which expects plaintext input; encrypted value cannot be prompted.
Why this is correct
vars_prompt expects user to enter the value; a vault string cannot be prompted.
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 variable is defined in a vault-encrypted file without a prompt.
Why it's wrong here
The prompt is defined, so it expects interactive input.
- ✗
The vault password file is corrupted or missing.
Why it's wrong here
The error indicates password is required, but it was provided.
- ✗
The encrypted string includes extra whitespace or quotes that cause parsing issues.
Why it's wrong here
Ansible handles vault strings properly; the issue is logical.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume `vars_prompt` can handle vault-encrypted values because Ansible automatically decrypts vault-encrypted variables in other contexts (e.g., `vars_files`, `group_vars`), but they overlook that `vars_prompt` operates at a different stage of playbook execution where vault decryption is not applied to user input.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `vars_prompt` uses the `prompt` plugin which reads input from stdin and stores it as a plaintext string — it has no mechanism to invoke the vault decryption subsystem. The `ansible-vault encrypt_string` command produces a hex-encoded ciphertext with a header (e.g., `$ANSIBLE_VAULT;1.1;AES256`), and if this string is passed via `vars_prompt`, Ansible treats it as raw data and later, when the variable is used in a task that expects decrypted content, it attempts to decrypt the literal prompt input, which fails because the vault password was never applied to that input. In real-world scenarios, administrators should use `ansible-vault encrypt` on a file containing the variable or use `--ask-vault-pass` with a `vars_files` directive instead of mixing encrypted strings with interactive prompts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the EX294 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Implement advanced Ansible automation — This question tests Implement advanced Ansible automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The vault-encrypted variable is used in a vars_prompt, which expects plaintext input; encrypted value cannot be prompted. — Option A is correct because `vars_prompt` in Ansible expects plaintext input from the user at runtime, not an encrypted vault string. When you use `ansible-vault encrypt_string` to encrypt a variable and then reference that encrypted value in a `vars_prompt`, the prompt mechanism cannot decrypt it on the fly — it treats the encrypted blob as a literal string and fails with 'Vault password is required for decryption' because it attempts to decrypt the prompted input as if it were a vault-encrypted variable, but the prompt itself does not support vault decryption.
What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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