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Documentation Index

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Introduction

Learn how to configure the AppRole authentication method in HashiCorp Vault using direct API calls. This guide covers:
  • Enabling the AppRole auth method
  • Creating an AppRole with specific policies
  • Retrieving the Role ID and Secret ID
  • Authenticating with the generated credentials

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Prerequisites

  • A running Vault server at http://127.0.0.1:8200
  • A valid Vault token exported as an environment variable:
export VAULT_TOKEN="s.TEKrNn3Cv53pZdbPh8xg4TPu"
Never commit your VAULT_TOKEN or any sensitive credentials to version control.

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1. Enable the AppRole Auth Method

First, enable the AppRole authentication backend:
  1. Create an auth.json file: 
    {
  "type": "approle"
}
  2. Use curl to enable AppRole: 
    curl --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
     --request POST \
     --data @auth.json \
     http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/sys/auth/approle
  3. Verify the mount: 
    vault auth list
You should see an entry for approle/.

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2. Create an AppRole with Policies

Define which policies this AppRole will use:
  1. Create policies.json: 
    {
  "policies": ["bryan"]
}
  2. Create the AppRole named vaultcourse: 
    curl --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
     --request POST \
     --data @policies.json \
     http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/auth/approle/role/vaultcourse
A successful response confirms the role is created.

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3. Fetch the Role ID

Each AppRole has a unique Role ID. Retrieve it: 
curl --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
     http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/auth/approle/role/vaultcourse/role-id | jq
Inspect data.role_id in the JSON response.

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4. Generate a Secret ID

Generate the Secret ID needed alongside the Role ID: 
curl --header "X-Vault-Token: $VAULT_TOKEN" \
     --request POST \
     http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/auth/approle/role/vaultcourse/secret-id | jq
The response returns:
  • data.secret_id
  • data.secret_id_accessor
With these credentials, you can log in: 
curl --request POST \
     --data '{"role_id":"<ROLE_ID>","secret_id":"<SECRET_ID>"}' \
     http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/auth/approle/login

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Quick Reference Table

StepEndpointMethodDescription
1/v1/sys/auth/approlePOSTEnable AppRole auth method
2/v1/auth/approle/role/vaultcoursePOSTCreate an AppRole with specified policies
3/v1/auth/approle/role/vaultcourse/role-idGETRetrieve the AppRole Role ID
4/v1/auth/approle/role/vaultcourse/secret-idPOSTGenerate the Secret ID
5/v1/auth/approle/loginPOSTAuthenticate using Role ID and Secret ID

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