hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A company requires that all systems be configured…
A company requires that all systems be configured to log all authentication attempts, both successful and failed. Which configuration file and directive should be used to ensure all auth messages are logged to /var/log/secure?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the `auth` and `authpriv` facilities, assuming `auth.*` is correct because it sounds like 'authentication', but `authpriv` is the actual facility used by modern Linux authentication subsystems like PAM and sshd.
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
✓
In /etc/rsyslog.conf: authpriv.* /var/log/secure
In rsyslog, the `authpriv` facility covers authentication and authorization messages, including both successful and failed login attempts. The directive `authpriv.* /var/log/secure` directs all messages from this facility to `/var/log/secure`, which is the standard secure log file on RHEL/CentOS systems. This meets the requirement to log all authentication attempts.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
In /etc/rsyslog.conf: *.info /var/log/secure
Why it's wrong here
Logs all info messages, not just auth.
- ✗
In /etc/rsyslog.conf: auth.* /var/log/secure
Why it's wrong here
auth facility is for non-privileged auth, not the standard for secure log.
- ✓
In /etc/rsyslog.conf: authpriv.* /var/log/secure
Why this is correct
Correct facility and action.
- ✗
In /etc/rsyslog.conf: kern.* /var/log/secure
Why it's wrong here
Logs kernel messages, not auth.
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