XK0-006 System Management Practice Question
An administrator runs the command `ls -l file.txt` and sees the permissions `-rwsr-xr-x`. What special permission is set on this file?
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
✓
SUID
The 's' in the owner execute position indicates the SUID (Set User ID) permission is set.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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SGID
Why it's wrong here
SGID places its s in the group execute position, as in -rwxr-sr-x, and also sets directory group inheritance. Here the s sits in the owner execute slot, which is SUID. SGID is tempting because both use the same s glyph, but the field position distinguishes them.
- ✗
Sticky bit
Why it's wrong here
The sticky bit appears as a t in the execute position of the others field, as in drwxrwxrwt, restricting deletion within shared directories. Here the s occupies the owner execute slot, denoting SUID. Sticky bit is tempting for shared /tmp-style directories, not regular executables.
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No special permission
Why it's wrong here
The s in the owner execute position is itself a special permission marker, so special permissions are undeniably present. Reading -rwsr-xr-x as ordinary rwx triples overlooks that lowercase s replaces x for the owner, which only SUID produces. No special permission would be correct for -rwxr-xr-x.
- ✓
SUID
Why this is correct
The `s` in the owner execute position denotes SUID, satisfying the stem's `-rwsr-xr-x` string. When executed, the process runs with the file owner's effective UID rather than the invoking user's, granting elevated privileges. SGID would instead appear in the group execute position, and the sticky bit as `t` on others.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
SUID
SUID (Set User ID) is a special file permission in Linux that allows a user to run an executable file with the file owner's privileges, typically root, rather than their own.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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