How to use the command 'vault' (with examples)

The ‘vault’ command is a command-line interface (CLI) tool that allows users to interact with HashiCorp Vault, a popular secret management tool. HashiCorp Vault provides a secure and centralized way to store and manage sensitive information such as passwords, API keys, and other secret data. The ‘vault’ command enables users to perform various operations such as initializing a new encrypted data store, authenticating with the Vault server, storing and retrieving secrets, and sealing the Vault server for added security.

Use case 1: Connect to a Vault server and initialize a new encrypted data store

Code:

vault init

Motivation: This use case is useful when setting up a new Vault server and starting with a clean slate. Initialization is the first step to get the Vault server up and running.

Explanation: The command ‘vault init’ is used to initialize a new encrypted data store on the Vault server. This command generates a set of unseal keys and a root token that is required for further operations on the Vault server.

Example output:

Unseal Key 1: NmOUJ9IALasWyOlXGsqSPLnXPlXDxACHPFo7nfoU93fD
Unseal Key 2: OSGVFiWQx3DPWTw8yZfdlgoYhq7THWMuml+EeGjWFnEu
Unseal Key 3: MImO+rpVvSNexEZ0t0fh9FZWMgyw/0JGmzLf8q5IZ9t3
Unseal Key 4: z20qg/O9HTCm2s7pXAXITnbA/0EONDQANjrxDXHWNS5E
Unseal Key 5: YdSidM0R+36xSGassoQnIOZXnnD/ejNlhF7FSF6oVNIM

Initial Root Token: s.4rM1p9OpzA879OLgBwWb3QcM

Use case 2: Unseal (unlock) the vault

Code:

vault unseal key-share-x

Motivation: After initializing the Vault server, it is necessary to unseal the vault to access the encrypted data store. This use case is useful when providing one of the key shares needed to unseal the vault.

Explanation: The command ‘vault unseal’ is used to unlock the vault by providing one of the key shares that were generated during the initialization process. The key share is used to reconstruct the master key that is needed to gain access to the encrypted data store.

Example output: None

Use case 3: Authenticate the CLI client against the Vault server

Code:

vault auth authentication_token

Motivation: To perform any operations on the Vault server, the CLI client needs to authenticate itself. This use case is useful when logging in to the Vault server using an authentication token.

Explanation: The command ‘vault auth’ is used to authenticate the CLI client against the Vault server. The ‘authentication_token’ argument specifies the authentication token to be used for authentication. This token can be obtained from the Vault server after successful login.

Example output: None

Use case 4: Store a new secret in the vault

Code:

vault write secret/hello value=world

Motivation: One of the main purposes of HashiCorp Vault is to securely store and manage secrets. This use case is useful when storing a new secret in the Vault server. In this example, the secret ‘hello’ with the value ‘world’ is being stored.

Explanation: The command ‘vault write’ is used to store a new secret in the Vault server. The ‘secret/hello’ argument specifies the path to store the secret, and the ‘value=world’ argument specifies the value of the secret.

Example output: None

Use case 5: Read a value from the vault

Code:

vault read secret/hello

Motivation: After storing a secret in the Vault server, it may be necessary to retrieve the value of the secret. This use case is useful when reading a value from the Vault server. In this example, the value of the secret ‘hello’ is being read.

Explanation: The command ‘vault read’ is used to read a value from the Vault server. The ‘secret/hello’ argument specifies the path of the secret to read.

Example output:

Key         Value
---         -----
value       world

Use case 6: Read a specific field from the value

Code:

vault read -field=field_name secret/hello

Motivation: When storing structured data in the Vault server, it is possible to have multiple fields within a secret. This use case is useful when reading a specific field from the value of a secret. In this example, the value of the field ‘field_name’ from the secret ‘hello’ is being read.

Explanation: The command ‘vault read’ is used to read a secret from the Vault server. The ‘-field=field_name’ argument specifies the specific field to read from the secret value.

Example output: None

Use case 7: Seal (lock) the Vault server

Code:

vault seal

Motivation: Sealing the Vault server is an important security measure that prevents unauthorized access to the encrypted data store. This use case is useful when locking the Vault server by removing the encryption key from memory.

Explanation: The command ‘vault seal’ is used to seal the Vault server, effectively locking it. This command removes the encryption key of the data store from memory. Once sealed, the Vault server cannot be accessed until it is unsealed again.

Example output: None

Conclusion:

The ‘vault’ command provides a comprehensive set of options and functionalities to interact with HashiCorp Vault. By using these examples, users can learn how to initialize and unseal a new encrypted data store, authenticate with the Vault server, store and retrieve secrets, and seal the Vault server for added security.