- A
Use setfacl -m u:jdoe:rw file
Correct: ACL entry for user jdoe grants read and write without altering standard permissions.
- B
Change file owner to jdoe
Why wrong: Changing owner is not desired as per scenario.
- C
Use chmod o+rw file
Why wrong: This grants read-write to all others, which is too permissive and not targeted.
- D
Add jdoe to the root group
Why wrong: Adding to root group would give group permissions, but root group is typically sensitive and not appropriate.
Question 530 of 1,000
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 wants to grant a specific user, 'jdoe', read and write access to a file that is owned by root:root with permissions 640. The administrator does not want to change the file's owner or group. Which approach should be used?
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
✓
Use setfacl -m u:jdoe:rw file
ACLs allow granting permissions to a specific user without changing the file's owner or group. setfacl -m u:jdoe:rw file sets read-write ACL for user jdoe.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use setfacl -m u:jdoe:rw file
Why this is correct
Correct: ACL entry for user jdoe grants read and write without altering standard permissions.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Change file owner to jdoe
Why it's wrong here
Changing owner is not desired as per scenario.
- ✗
Use chmod o+rw file
Why it's wrong here
This grants read-write to all others, which is too permissive and not targeted.
- ✗
Add jdoe to the root group
Why it's wrong here
Adding to root group would give group permissions, but root group is typically sensitive and not appropriate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Changing owner is not desired as per scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related XK0-005 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
System Management — This question tests System Management — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use setfacl -m u:jdoe:rw file — ACLs allow granting permissions to a specific user without changing the file's owner or group. setfacl -m u:jdoe:rw file sets read-write ACL for user jdoe.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related XK0-005 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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