XK0-006 Security Practice Question
An administrator notices repeated failed login attempts in /var/log/secure. The company policy requires account lockout after 5 failed attempts within 15 minutes. Which PAM module and configuration can enforce this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse password policy modules (pam_pwquality.so, pam_unix.so) or session limits (pam_limits.so) with the dedicated account lockout module pam_faillock.so, leading candidates to select options that address different security controls.
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
✓
pam_faillock.so with deny=5 unlock_time=900
Pam_faillock.so is the PAM module specifically designed to track failed login attempts and enforce account lockout policies. The `deny=5` parameter sets the threshold to 5 failures, and `unlock_time=900` sets the lockout duration to 900 seconds (15 minutes), matching the policy requirement exactly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
pam_unix.so with remember=5
Why it's wrong here
pam_unix.so does not handle lockout.
- ✗
pam_pwquality.so with minlen=5
Why it's wrong here
pam_pwquality is for password complexity.
- ✗
pam_limits.so with maxlogins=5
Why it's wrong here
pam_limits can limit concurrent logins, not lockout.
- ✓
pam_faillock.so with deny=5 unlock_time=900
Why this is correct
This configuration locks after 5 attempts and unlocks after 15 minutes.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Networking Fundamentals and Configuration
Key term
PAM
Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a security framework that controls, monitors, and audits access to critical systems and accounts with elevated permissions.
Key term
Policy
A policy is a set of rules or guidelines that defines how an organization manages, secures, and operates its IT systems and services.
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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.