Quick Answer
The answer is chmod 755 /var/log, which sets the directory permissions to rwxr-xr-x. This is correct because the owner (root) retains full write access, while group and others are restricted to read and execute—allowing users to traverse the directory and read log files without being able to write to them, directly addressing the security audit’s requirement to remove world-writable access. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of the principle of least privilege and the specific impact of octal permissions on directory access, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose 777 or 644. A common pitfall is forgetting that the execute bit on a directory is required to list its contents, not just read them. Remember the mnemonic: “755 keeps root alive—owner writes, everyone else just reads and passes by.”
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security audit reveals that the /var/log directory has permissions 777. The administrator needs to ensure that only root can write to log files, while still allowing users to read system log files. Which command should the administrator run?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
chmod 644 /var/log
Why wrong: 644 removes execute permission on directory, preventing listing of files.
chmod 755 /var/log
755 gives owner rwx, group and others rx, allowing read and execute but not write.
chmod 700 /var/log
Why wrong: 700 denies all access to group and others.
chmod 750 /var/log
Why wrong: 750 denies read access to others, so they cannot read log files.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
chmod 755 /var/log
Option B is correct because chmod 755 sets the /var/log directory to rwxr-xr-x, meaning root (owner) has full write access, while group and others have read and execute permissions. This allows users to read log files (via execute to traverse the directory) but prevents them from writing, satisfying the audit requirement.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
chmod 644 /var/log
Why it's wrong here
644 removes execute permission on directory, preventing listing of files.
chmod 755 /var/log
Why this is correct
755 gives owner rwx, group and others rx, allowing read and execute but not write.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
chmod 700 /var/log
Why it's wrong here
700 denies all access to group and others.
chmod 750 /var/log
Why it's wrong here
750 denies read access to others, so they cannot read log files.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often apply file permission logic to directories, forgetting that directories require the execute bit for access, leading them to choose 644 (which breaks directory traversal) instead of 755.
Detailed technical explanation
On Linux, directory permissions differ from file permissions: the read bit (r) allows listing contents, the write bit (w) allows creating/deleting entries, and the execute bit (x) allows traversing into the directory and accessing files by name. Setting /var/log to 755 ensures that users can cd into it and read log files (if those files have appropriate read permissions, typically 644), while only root can modify the directory structure or write new logs. This is a common security baseline for system log directories in compliance with standards like CIS Benchmarks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: chmod 755 /var/log — Option B is correct because chmod 755 sets the /var/log directory to rwxr-xr-x, meaning root (owner) has full write access, while group and others have read and execute permissions. This allows users to read log files (via execute to traverse the directory) but prevents them from writing, satisfying the audit requirement.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This XK0-005 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 XK0-005 exam.
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