HCVA0-003 Exam Questions and Answers

QUESTION: 51 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

How can Vault be used to programmatically obtain a generated code for MFA, somewhat similar to Google Authenticator?

Cubbyhole
The random byte generator
TOTP secrets engine
The identity secrets engine

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth
Vault can generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) for multi-factor authentication (MFA), mimicking apps like Google Authenticator. Let's evaluate:
Option A: Cubbyhole
Cubbyhole is a per-token secret store, not a TOTP generator. It's for temporary secret storage, not MFA code generation. Incorrect.
Vault Docs Insight: "Cubbyhole stores secrets tied to a token... no TOTP functionality." (Different purpose.)
Option B: The random byte generator
Vault's /sys/tools/random endpoint generates random bytes, not time-based codes synced with a clock (TOTP requirement). It's for generic randomness, not MFA. Incorrect. Vault Docs Insight: "Random bytes are not time-based... unsuitable for TOTP." (Unrelated feature.) Option C: TOTP secrets engine
The TOTP engine generates and validates TOTP codes (e.g., 6-digit codes every 30s) using a shared secret, just like Google Authenticator. You create a key (vault write totp/keys/my-key) and fetch codes (vault read totp/code/my-key). Perfect for programmatic MFA. Correct. Vault Docs Insight: "The TOTP secrets engine can act as a TOTP code generator... replacing traditional generators like Google Authenticator." (Exact match.)
Option D: The identity secrets engine
The Identity engine manages user/entity identities and policies, not TOTP codes. It's for identity management, not MFA generation. Incorrect.
Vault Docs Insight: "Identity engine handles identity data... no TOTP generation." (Different scope.)

Detailed Mechanics:
Enable: vault secrets enable totp. Create key: vault write totp/keys/my-key issuer=Vault. Get code:
vault read totp/code/my-key returns {"data":{"code":"123456"}}. Codes sync with time (RFC 6238), usable in APIs or apps.
Overall Explanation from Vault Docs:
"The TOTP secrets engine can act as a TOTP code generator... It provides an added layer of security since the ability to generate codes is guarded by policies and audited."

Reference:

https://developer.hashicorp.com/vault/docs/secrets/totp

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QUESTION: 52 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

From the options below, select the auth methods that are better suited for machine-to-machine authentication (select five):

Kubernetes
GitHub
TLS
Token
AppRole
AWS
LDAP
OIDC

Answer(s): A,C,D,E,F

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth
Machine-to-machine (M2M) auth methods in Vault enable automated systems to authenticate without human interaction. Let's assess:
A: Kubernetes - Uses service account tokens for pods. Correct. Vault Docs Insight: "Kubernetes auth... ideal for workloads in Kubernetes clusters."
B: GitHub - User-focused, requires human GitHub login. Incorrect. Vault Docs Insight: "GitHub auth... typically for human users."
C: TLS - Certificate-based, perfect for M2M. Correct.
Vault Docs Insight: "TLS auth uses certificates... suited for machine authentication."
D: Token - Pre-generated tokens for automation. Correct. Vault Docs Insight: "Token auth... can be used by machines with proper management."
E: AppRole - RoleID/SecretID for apps. Correct.
Vault Docs Insight: "AppRole is designed for machine-to-machine authentication..."
F: AWS - IAM roles for AWS resources. Correct.
Vault Docs Insight: "AWS auth... automated for AWS-based machines."
G: LDAP - User directory-based, human-oriented. Incorrect. Vault Docs Insight: "LDAP... commonly for human user authentication."
H: OIDC - User SSO, not M2M. Incorrect.
Vault Docs Insight: "OIDC... for human single sign-on." Overall Explanation from Vault Docs:

"Examples of machine auth methods include AppRole, AWS, Kubernetes, TLS, and Token... Human auth methods include LDAP, GitHub, OIDC."

Reference:

https://developer.hashicorp.com/vault/docs/auth

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QUESTION: 53 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

You've hit the URL for the Vault UI, but you're presented with this screen.
Why doesn't Vault present you with a way to log in?

The Consul storage backend was not configured correctly
Vault needs to be initialized before it can be used
A Vault policy is preventing you from logging in
The Vault configuration file has an incorrect configuration

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth
The initialization page means Vault is new or reset. Let's evaluate:
A: Storage issues don't trigger this screen; they'd cause errors post-init. Incorrect.
B: Vault requires initialization (vault operator init) to set up keys and enable login. Correct.

C: Policies apply post-login, not pre-init. Incorrect.
D: Config errors would prevent Vault from starting, not show this screen. Incorrect.
Overall Explanation from Vault Docs:
"Before Vault can be used, it must be initialized and unsealed... This screen indicates Vault has not been initialized yet."

Reference:

https://developer.hashicorp.com/vault/docs/commands/operator/init

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QUESTION: 54 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

Which of the following secrets engines does NOT issue a lease upon a read request?

KV
Consul
Database
AWS

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth
Leases tie to dynamic secrets with TTLs. Let's check:
A: KV - Static secrets, no lease on read. Correct.
B: Consul - Dynamic creds with leases. Incorrect.
C: Database - Dynamic creds with leases. Incorrect.
D: AWS - Dynamic creds with leases. Incorrect.
Overall Explanation from Vault Docs:
"The Key/Value Backend... does not issue leases although it may return a lease duration."

Reference:

https://developer.hashicorp.com/vault/docs/concepts/lease#lease-renew-and-revoke

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QUESTION: 55 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

Which of the following statements best describes the difference in cluster strategies between self- managed Vault and HashiCorp-managed Vault?

Self-managed clusters require users to handle setup, maintenance, and scaling, whereas HCP Vault Dedicated is fully managed by HashiCorp and offloads most operational tasks
Neither self-managed clusters nor HCP Vault Dedicated include enterprise security features such as replication or disaster recovery
Both self-managed clusters and HCP Vault Dedicated require manual patching and upgrades, but only self-managed clusters are hosted in the user's cloud
In self-managed clusters, HashiCorp is responsible for scaling, upgrades, and patching, while HCP Vault Dedicated requires the user to handle all operational overhead

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth
A: Correctly contrasts self-managed (user responsibility) with HCP Vault (HashiCorp-managed).
Correct.
B: Both support replication; false. Incorrect.
C: HCP Vault doesn't require manual upgrades. Incorrect.
D: Reverses responsibilities; false. Incorrect.
Overall Explanation from Vault Docs:
"HCP Vault Dedicated is operated by HashiCorp... Self-managed Vault requires users to handle setup, maintenance, and scaling."

Reference:

https://developer.hashicorp.com/hcp/docs/vault/what-is-hcp-vault

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HashiCorp HCVA0-003 Exam (page: 11) HashiCorp Certified: Vault Associate (003) Updated on: 15-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 51 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

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QUESTION: 52 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

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QUESTION: 53 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

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QUESTION: 54 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

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QUESTION: 55 Exam Topic: 1, Exam Pool A

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HashiCorp HCVA0-003 Exam (page: 11)
HashiCorp Certified: Vault Associate (003)
Updated on: 15-Feb-2026