hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: Given the journalctl output for the httpd…
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. $ journalctl -u httpd -- Logs begin at Mon 2023-10-23 09:11:22 EDT, end at Mon 2023-10-23 10:45:17 EDT. -- Oct 23 10:45:00 server httpd[1234]: (13)Permission denied: AH00035: access to /var/www/html/index.html denied (filesystem path '/var/www/html/index.html') because search permissions are missing on a component of the path
Given the journalctl output for the httpd service, which of the following is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between directory execute permissions and file read permissions, trapping candidates who assume that read permission on the file is sufficient without considering that directory traversal requires execute.
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
✓
The /var/www directory is missing the execute (x) permission for the Apache user
The journalctl output for the httpd service likely shows 'Permission denied' errors when Apache tries to serve files from /var/www. The most common cause is that the /var/www directory lacks the execute (x) permission for the Apache user (typically 'apache' or 'www-data'). Without execute permission on the directory, Apache cannot traverse into it to access files, even if the files themselves have correct permissions. This is a standard Linux permission issue distinct from SELinux or file-level read permissions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The /var/www directory is missing the execute (x) permission for the Apache user
Why this is correct
Directories need execute permission to traverse.
- ✗
The file /var/www/html/index.html has incorrect SELinux context
Why it's wrong here
Would show a different SELinux denial message.
- ✗
The Apache service is running under the wrong user
Why it's wrong here
Would cause different issues, not specifically this error.
- ✗
The file /var/www/html/index.html is missing read permission for the Apache user
Why it's wrong here
Would say 'permission denied' when reading the file, not 'search permissions'.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
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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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.