XK0-006 System Management Practice Question
A Linux system has a directory with permissions drwxr-xr-x. A user in the group 'dev' tries to create a new file inside this directory. Which permission is missing that prevents the user from creating the file?
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
✓
Write permission for the group
The directory has write permission for the owner, but only read and execute for the group. To create a file, the user needs write permission on the directory, which is not granted to the group.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Write permission for the owner
Why it's wrong here
The owner already holds rwx, so owner write is present and cannot be the missing bit. Group members need write on the directory to create entries; the group triad is r-x. Owner write would matter only if the user were the directory's owner rather than a member of dev.
- ✗
Sticky bit is set
Why it's wrong here
The permissions string drwxr-xr-x shows no t, so the sticky bit is not set. The sticky bit restricts deletion of others' files in shared directories such as /tmp; it does not govern file creation. The missing group write permission is what blocks creating the new file.
- ✓
Write permission for the group
Why this is correct
Creating a file requires write permission on the containing directory, not on the file itself. The group permission set is r-x, granting read and execute (traverse) but withholding write. Adding group write (rwx) satisfies the stem's constraint, allowing the 'dev' group member to create entries within that directory.
- ✗
Execute permission for the group
Why it's wrong here
The group already has execute (the x in r-x), which is required to traverse the directory and reach inodes. Creating a file needs write on the directory, which the group triad lacks. Group execute would be the answer if users could not cd into or access paths within the directory.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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