HashiCorp Vault token not renewable

The token cannot be renewed because it is not configured to be renewable.

Understanding HashiCorp Vault

HashiCorp Vault is a tool designed to securely store and manage sensitive information such as secrets, tokens, passwords, and encryption keys. It provides a unified interface to access different secret backends and offers a robust system for managing access to these secrets through policies and tokens.

Identifying the Symptom: Token Not Renewable

When using HashiCorp Vault, you might encounter an error stating that a token is not renewable. This typically occurs when attempting to renew a token that has not been configured to support renewal. The error message might look like this:

"Error: token not renewable"

Exploring the Issue: Why Tokens Might Not Be Renewable

Tokens in Vault are used to authenticate and authorize access to secrets. Each token has specific properties, including whether it is renewable. A non-renewable token cannot have its lifespan extended, which means once it expires, a new token must be generated. This is often due to the token being created with the renewable flag set to false.

Checking Token Properties

To determine if a token is renewable, you can inspect its properties using the Vault CLI:

vault token lookup <token>

Look for the renewable field in the output. If it is set to false, the token cannot be renewed.

Steps to Fix the Issue: Making Tokens Renewable

If you need a renewable token, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Step 1: Create a New Renewable Token

To create a new token that is renewable, use the following command:

vault token create -policy=<policy_name> -renewable=true

Replace <policy_name> with the appropriate policy name for your use case.

Step 2: Verify the New Token

After creating the new token, verify its properties to ensure it is renewable:

vault token lookup <new_token>

Check that the renewable field is set to true.

Step 3: Renew the Token

Once you have a renewable token, you can renew it using:

vault token renew <new_token>

This command will extend the token's lifespan according to its configured TTL (Time to Live).

Additional Resources

For more information on managing tokens in HashiCorp Vault, refer to the official Vault Tokens Documentation. Additionally, explore the Vault Getting Started Guide for a comprehensive introduction to Vault's features and capabilities.

Master

HashiCorp Vault

in Minutes — Grab the Ultimate Cheatsheet

(Perfect for DevOps & SREs)

Most-used commands
Real-world configs/examples
Handy troubleshooting shortcuts
Your email is safe with us. No spam, ever.

Thankyou for your submission

We have sent the cheatsheet on your email!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

HashiCorp Vault

Cheatsheet

(Perfect for DevOps & SREs)

Most-used commands
Your email is safe with us. No spam, ever.

Thankyou for your submission

We have sent the cheatsheet on your email!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

MORE ISSUES

Made with ❤️ in Bangalore & San Francisco 🏢

Doctor Droid