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.
A system administrator wants to ensure that the /tmp directory is mounted with noexec to prevent code execution from temporary files. Which file should be modified to persist this across reboots?
/etc/mtab
Why wrong: Read-only list of current mounts, not used for persistence.
/etc/fstab
Used to define persistent mount options.
/etc/sysconfig/network
Why wrong: Network configuration, not mounts.
/etc/security/limits.conf
Why wrong: Sets user resource limits, not mount options.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/etc/fstab
The /etc/fstab file is the system configuration file that defines how disk partitions, block devices, and remote filesystems are mounted at boot time. Adding the noexec mount option to the /tmp entry in /etc/fstab ensures that the /tmp directory is mounted with the noexec flag persistently across reboots, preventing execution of binaries from temporary files.
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.
/etc/mtab
Why it's wrong here
Read-only list of current mounts, not used for persistence.
/etc/fstab
Why this is correct
Used to define persistent mount options.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/etc/sysconfig/network
Why it's wrong here
Network configuration, not mounts.
/etc/security/limits.conf
Why it's wrong here
Sets user resource limits, not mount options.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse /etc/mtab (a runtime snapshot) with /etc/fstab (the persistent configuration file), or think that modifying /etc/mtab will make changes permanent, when in fact it is overwritten on every mount event.
Detailed technical explanation
The noexec mount option works at the VFS (Virtual File System) level by preventing the kernel from honoring the execute permission bit on any file within the mounted filesystem, even if the file has the executable bit set. This is enforced by the do_mmap() function in the kernel, which checks the mount flags before allowing memory mappings with PROT_EXEC. A real-world scenario is securing shared hosting environments where /tmp is often used for temporary uploads; without noexec, an attacker could upload a malicious script and execute it directly from /tmp.
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All XK0-005 questions
510 questions across all exam domains
CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
XK0-005 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Security.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Troubleshooting.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to Scripting, Containers and Automation.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to System Management.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 fundamentals.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 scenario.
Practise XK0-005 questions linked to XK0-005 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /etc/fstab — The /etc/fstab file is the system configuration file that defines how disk partitions, block devices, and remote filesystems are mounted at boot time. Adding the noexec mount option to the /tmp entry in /etc/fstab ensures that the /tmp directory is mounted with the noexec flag persistently across reboots, preventing execution of binaries from temporary files.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.