- A
Use include_vars: file: vault.yml without any additional configuration.
Why wrong: Without the vault password, the encrypted file cannot be read.
- B
Run ansible-playbook with --ask-vault-pass to prompt for the password.
Why wrong: Interactive prompting is less suitable for automation and may not be secure in scripts.
- C
Run ansible-playbook playbook.yml --vault-password-file vault-pass
Correct: Provides the vault password from a file with restricted permissions.
- D
Set the environment variable ANSIBLE_VAULT_PASSWORD_FILE in the user's profile.
Why wrong: While this works, it may be less secure if the profile is inadvertently exposed; using --vault-password-file is more explicit and secure.
Question 120 of 528
Ansible Vault Password File
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of manage task execution and roles. 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.
A playbook needs to load encrypted variables from a file vault.yml. The vault password is stored in a file vault-pass with restricted permissions. Which method securely loads the variables when running the playbook?
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
✓
Run ansible-playbook playbook.yml --vault-password-file vault-pass
Option C is correct because the `--vault-password-file` flag allows Ansible to read the vault password from a file with restricted permissions, enabling non-interactive decryption of `vault.yml` without exposing the password in the process list or requiring manual input. This method is secure when the vault password file has proper permissions (e.g., 600) and is stored in a controlled location.
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.
- ✗
Use include_vars: file: vault.yml without any additional configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Without the vault password, the encrypted file cannot be read.
- ✗
Run ansible-playbook with --ask-vault-pass to prompt for the password.
Why it's wrong here
Interactive prompting is less suitable for automation and may not be secure in scripts.
- ✓
Run ansible-playbook playbook.yml --vault-password-file vault-pass
Why this is correct
Correct: Provides the vault password from a file with restricted permissions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the environment variable ANSIBLE_VAULT_PASSWORD_FILE in the user's profile.
Why it's wrong here
While this works, it may be less secure if the profile is inadvertently exposed; using --vault-password-file is more explicit and secure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the `--vault-password-file` flag with setting the `ANSIBLE_VAULT_PASSWORD_FILE` environment variable, but the question explicitly asks for the method used when running the playbook, making the command-line flag the correct choice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible uses the vault password to derive an encryption key via PBKDF2 with HMAC-SHA256, then decrypts the vault file using AES-256 in CBC mode. The `--vault-password-file` flag reads the first line of the specified file as the password, and the file must have permissions that prevent unauthorized access (e.g., `chmod 600`). In real-world CI/CD pipelines, this flag is often used with a vault password file stored in a secrets manager or mounted as a volume, ensuring the password is never exposed in logs or command history.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Manage task execution and roles — This question tests Manage task execution and roles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run ansible-playbook playbook.yml --vault-password-file vault-pass — Option C is correct because the `--vault-password-file` flag allows Ansible to read the vault password from a file with restricted permissions, enabling non-interactive decryption of `vault.yml` without exposing the password in the process list or requiring manual input. This method is secure when the vault password file has proper permissions (e.g., 600) and is stored in a controlled location.
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.
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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