XK0-006 Troubleshooting Practice Question
A Linux administrator is investigating why a user cannot log in via SSH. The SSH service is running, and the network is reachable. The administrator suspects that the user's account is locked or expired. Which command should they use to check the account status and expiration details for the user 'jdoe'?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse password status (passwd -S) with full account aging information (chage -l), or mistakenly using a modification command like usermod -L instead of a query.
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
✓
chage -l jdoe
The chage -l command displays detailed account aging information, including expiration dates for the password and the account itself. In this scenario, it would reveal if the account is expired or if the password has expired, which are common reasons for SSH login failure despite the service running. This makes it the correct diagnostic tool.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
passwd -S jdoe
Why it's wrong here
passwd -S shows the status of the password for the user, such as whether it is locked or set. It provides limited information about password expiration but does not show account expiration date. While useful for checking if the password is locked, it does not give the full account aging details that chage -l provides.
- ✓
chage -l jdoe
Why this is correct
chage -l lists account aging information, including password expiration, account expiration, and last password change. It directly shows if the account has expired or is locked due to password aging. This is the correct tool to verify if the user's account is expired or locked, which would prevent SSH login even if the service is running.
- ✗
usermod -L jdoe
Why it's wrong here
usermod -L locks the user's password, but it does not check status. Running this would modify the account, potentially worsening the issue. It is not an investigative command. The administrator needs to check status, not change it. This command is inappropriate for troubleshooting.
- ✗
id jdoe
Why it's wrong here
id displays user and group IDs, and group memberships. It does not show account expiration or password status. While it confirms the user exists, it does not provide information about why login might fail due to account expiration or locking. This command is not sufficient for the scenario.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Installing Linux and Package Management
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
Key term
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is a cryptographic network protocol that provides secure, encrypted communication and remote administration between two devices over an unsecured network.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.