This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 server is secured with SELinux in enforcing mode. A custom web application needs to write logs to /var/log/webapp. The SELinux type for httpd is httpd_t. Which command sets the correct context for the log directory?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
semanage fcontext -a -t httpd_log_t "/var/log/webapp(/.*)?" && restorecon -Rv /var/log/webapp
Option A is correct because it uses `semanage fcontext` to add a persistent file context rule that assigns the `httpd_log_t` type to the `/var/log/webapp` directory and its contents, then applies it with `restorecon`. The `httpd_log_t` type is specifically designed for log files written by the httpd process, allowing Apache (running as `httpd_t`) to write logs while maintaining SELinux enforcement.
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.
✓
semanage fcontext -a -t httpd_log_t "/var/log/webapp(/.*)?" && restorecon -Rv /var/log/webapp
Why this is correct
This adds a persistent rule and applies the correct type for log files.
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.
✗
chcon -t httpd_sys_content_t /var/log/webapp
Why it's wrong here
This type is for web content, not logs.
✗
setsebool -P httpd_enable_homedirs on
Why it's wrong here
This enables homedir access, not log file context.
✗
chcon -t httpd_t /var/log/webapp
Why it's wrong here
This sets the type to httpd_t, which is not appropriate for log files; httpd_log_t is correct.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse process domains (like `httpd_t`) with file types (like `httpd_log_t`) or mistakenly use `chcon` for a permanent context change, not realizing that `semanage fcontext` with `restorecon` is required for persistent labeling in enforcing mode.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SELinux uses type enforcement (TE) where domains (e.g., `httpd_t`) are allowed to interact with specific file types (e.g., `httpd_log_t`) based on policy rules. The `semanage fcontext` command modifies the file context database under `/etc/selinux/targeted/contexts/files/`, ensuring the label survives `restorecon` operations, unlike `chcon` which sets temporary labels lost after a relabel. In real-world scenarios, forgetting to use `semanage fcontext` leads to log failures after system relabeling or updates.
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: semanage fcontext -a -t httpd_log_t "/var/log/webapp(/.*)?" && restorecon -Rv /var/log/webapp — Option A is correct because it uses `semanage fcontext` to add a persistent file context rule that assigns the `httpd_log_t` type to the `/var/log/webapp` directory and its contents, then applies it with `restorecon`. The `httpd_log_t` type is specifically designed for log files written by the httpd process, allowing Apache (running as `httpd_t`) to write logs while maintaining SELinux enforcement.
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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Question Discussion
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