easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A system administrator wants to ensure that the…
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates 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.
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
✓
/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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
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.
- ✗
/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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
fstab
fstab is a system configuration file in Linux that defines how and where storage devices and partitions are mounted at boot time.
Key term
System Configuration
System Configuration refers to the specific combination of hardware components, software settings, and operating system parameters that determine how a computer behaves and performs.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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