This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
$ cat /etc/shadow
root:$6$xyz...:18000:0:99999:7:::
$ sudo passwd -S root
root P 08/15/2024 0 99999 7 -1
$ sudo chage -l root
Last password change : Aug 15, 2024
Password expires : never
Password inactive : never
Account expires : never
Minimum number of days between password change : 0
Maximum number of days between password change : 99999
Number of days of warning before password expires : 7
A security policy requires that user passwords must expire after 90 days. The output in the exhibit shows the current configuration for the root user. Which command should the administrator run to enforce the policy for root?
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.
Refer to the exhibit.
$ cat /etc/shadow
root:$6$xyz...:18000:0:99999:7:::
$ sudo passwd -S root
root P 08/15/2024 0 99999 7 -1
$ sudo chage -l root
Last password change : Aug 15, 2024
Password expires : never
Password inactive : never
Account expires : never
Minimum number of days between password change : 0
Maximum number of days between password change : 99999
Number of days of warning before password expires : 7
A
sudo passwd -x 90 root
Why wrong: Also sets maximum password age but chage is preferred; however, passwd -x works, but chage is more common in exam contexts.
B
sudo chage -M 90 root
Sets the maximum number of days a password remains valid.
C
sudo chage -E 90 root
Why wrong: Sets the account expiration date, not password expiration.
D
sudo usermod -e 90 root
Why wrong: Sets the account expiry date, not password aging.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
sudo chage -M 90 root
The `chage -M 90 root` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for the root user to 90 days, which directly enforces the password expiration policy. The `-M` option modifies the `max_days` field in `/etc/shadow`, causing the password to expire after the specified period. This is the correct method to apply aging rules to the root account.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
sudo passwd -x 90 root
Why it's wrong here
Also sets maximum password age but chage is preferred; however, passwd -x works, but chage is more common in exam contexts.
✓
sudo chage -M 90 root
Why this is correct
Sets the maximum number of days a password remains valid.
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.
✗
sudo chage -E 90 root
Why it's wrong here
Sets the account expiration date, not password expiration.
✗
sudo usermod -e 90 root
Why it's wrong here
Sets the account expiry date, not password aging.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the `chage -M` (maximum password age) with `chage -E` (account expiration) or `usermod -e` (account expiration), leading them to select options that set account expiry instead of password expiry, which does not enforce the 90-day password change requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `chage` command modifies the `/etc/shadow` file directly, where the `max_days` field (the 5th colon-separated field) controls password expiration. When set to 90, the system compares the `last_change` field (3rd field) plus `max_days` against the current date; if exceeded, the password is considered expired and the user must change it on next login. A common real-world scenario is enforcing compliance with standards like PCI-DSS or HIPAA, which require periodic password changes for all users, including root, to reduce the risk of credential compromise.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: sudo chage -M 90 root — The `chage -M 90 root` command sets the maximum number of days a password is valid for the root user to 90 days, which directly enforces the password expiration policy. The `-M` option modifies the `max_days` field in `/etc/shadow`, causing the password to expire after the specified period. This is the correct method to apply aging rules to the root account.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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