hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: An administrator is investigating a system that…
An administrator is investigating a system that may have been compromised. The 'aide' database was created six months ago. After running 'aide --check', many files in /usr/bin are reported as changed. Which action should the administrator take first to identify the cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates think updating the AIDE database (Option B) is the logical next step to stop false alerts, but this would overwrite the baseline and eliminate the ability to detect the compromise, whereas the correct first action is to cross-verify with the package manager's own integrity database.
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
✓
Compare the checksums with the original package manager database (rpm -V).
The AIDE database is six months old, so any changes to system binaries in /usr/bin since then would be flagged. The first step should be to verify whether these changes are legitimate (e.g., from package updates) or malicious by comparing the current file checksums against the RPM package manager's database using 'rpm -V'. This distinguishes expected updates from unauthorized modifications without relying on the outdated AIDE baseline.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the verbosity of AIDE to see which attributes changed.
Why it's wrong here
Provides details but does not directly indicate cause like package verification does.
- ✗
Update the AIDE database with 'aide --update'.
Why it's wrong here
Would accept current state, potentially hiding malicious changes.
- ✓
Compare the checksums with the original package manager database (rpm -V).
Why this is correct
Determines if changes are from package updates or unauthorized modifications.
- ✗
Restore the original files from backup.
Why it's wrong here
May overwrite legitimate changes; should first investigate.
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JA
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.