- A
Defaults:%developers !authenticate
Why wrong: Disables authentication for the group, not desired.
- B
root ALL=(ALL) ALL
Why wrong: This is for root user, not developers group.
- C
%developers ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL
Why wrong: NOPASSWD skips password, not desired.
- D
%developers ALL=(ALL) ALL
Gives developers full sudo access with password prompt (default).
- E
%developers ALL=(ALL) PASSWD: ALL
Explicitly requires password; same as default but explicit.
Question 124 of 1,000
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
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.
An administrator is configuring sudo access for a group of developers. They should be able to run any command as root, but only after authenticating with their own password. Which TWO configuration lines in /etc/sudoers would achieve this? (Select TWO.)
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
✓
%developers ALL=(ALL) ALL
Option D is correct because the syntax `%developers ALL=(ALL) ALL` grants members of the `developers` group permission to run any command as any user (including root) on any host, and by default sudo requires the user's own password for authentication. Option E is also correct because `PASSWD: ALL` explicitly enforces password authentication for all commands, overriding any global `!authenticate` or `NOPASSWD` settings. Together, these two lines ensure the developers must authenticate with their own password before executing commands as root.
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.
- ✗
Defaults:%developers !authenticate
Why it's wrong here
Disables authentication for the group, not desired.
- ✗
root ALL=(ALL) ALL
Why it's wrong here
This is for root user, not developers group.
- ✗
%developers ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL
Why it's wrong here
NOPASSWD skips password, not desired.
- ✓
%developers ALL=(ALL) ALL
Why this is correct
Gives developers full sudo access with password prompt (default).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
%developers ALL=(ALL) PASSWD: ALL
Why this is correct
Explicitly requires password; same as default but explicit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the default behavior of sudo (which requires a password) with the explicit `PASSWD` tag, and may incorrectly select `NOPASSWD` options or miss that `PASSWD: ALL` is needed to override potential global `!authenticate` settings or to make the requirement explicit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In `/etc/sudoers`, the `PASSWD` and `NOPASSWD` tags are part of the command specification and can override global defaults. When no tag is specified, sudo defaults to requiring a password unless a `Defaults` directive like `!authenticate` is set. The `ALL=(ALL) ALL` syntax uses the first `ALL` for host aliases (matching any host), the second `ALL` for target users (any user, including root), and the third `ALL` for commands (any command). The `PASSWD: ALL` tag explicitly forces password authentication for every command, ensuring compliance even if a global `!authenticate` or a later `NOPASSWD` entry exists for the same user or group.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
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: %developers ALL=(ALL) ALL — Option D is correct because the syntax `%developers ALL=(ALL) ALL` grants members of the `developers` group permission to run any command as any user (including root) on any host, and by default sudo requires the user's own password for authentication. Option E is also correct because `PASSWD: ALL` explicitly enforces password authentication for all commands, overriding any global `!authenticate` or `NOPASSWD` settings. Together, these two lines ensure the developers must authenticate with their own password before executing commands as root.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
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