hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: After a kernel update, loading a proprietary…
After a kernel update, loading a proprietary kernel module fails with 'Invalid module format'. The module was built from source against the previous kernel. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the 'Invalid module format' error with Secure Boot signing issues, but Secure Boot produces a different error message related to key verification, not format mismatch.
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
✓
Module was not rebuilt for the new kernel version
The 'Invalid module format' error occurs when a kernel module's version magic string does not match the running kernel's version. Since the module was built against the previous kernel, it contains version information for that older kernel, and the new kernel rejects it as incompatible. Rebuilding the module against the new kernel's headers resolves this mismatch.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Module is not signed while Secure Boot is enabled
Why it's wrong here
This would typically give a signature verification error, not format error.
- ✗
Module file permissions are incorrect
Why it's wrong here
Permission errors would say 'Permission denied' instead.
- ✗
SELinux is blocking the module load
Why it's wrong here
SELinux would produce an AVC denial, not 'Invalid module format'.
- ✓
Module was not rebuilt for the new kernel version
Why this is correct
Kernel modules are tied to a specific kernel version; they must be recompiled after a kernel update.
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System Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning
Key term
Kernel module
A kernel module is a piece of code that can be loaded into or removed from the Linux kernel at runtime to add or remove support for hardware, filesystems, or system calls without rebooting.
Key term
Kernel
The kernel is the core program of an operating system that manages hardware resources and provides essential services for all other software to run.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 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 XK0-006 exam.