This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
# auditctl -l
-w /etc/passwd -p wa -k passwd_changes
-w /etc/shadow -p wa -k shadow_changes
-w /etc/group -p wa -k group_changes
Refer to the exhibit. The system administrator runs the command 'auditctl -l' and sees the above rules. What is the purpose of these audit rules?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
To log any changes (write or attribute) to the password, shadow, and group files
The audit rules use the `-w` flag to watch the files `/etc/passwd`, `/etc/shadow`, and `/etc/group` for `wa` (write and attribute change) syscalls. This logs any modification to these critical authentication and authorization files, such as user additions, password changes, or permission changes, which is essential for security monitoring.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
To log any changes (write or attribute) to the password, shadow, and group files
Why this is correct
The -p wa flag is for write and attribute changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
To log all successful login attempts on the system
Why it's wrong here
Login attempts are not related to these files.
✗
To log any modifications to the audit configuration itself
Why it's wrong here
These rules do not monitor the audit configuration.
✗
To log all read accesses to /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, and /etc/group
Why it's wrong here
The -p wa only logs write and attribute changes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the `-p wa` permission (write and attribute) with read access, assuming that watching these files logs all access, when in fact only modifications are recorded.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `auditctl -w` flag sets a file system watch, and the `-p wa` permission triggers audit records on write (modify content) and attribute (change metadata like permissions or ownership) syscalls. Under the hood, the audit subsystem uses kernel hooks to intercept `sys_write`, `sys_ftruncate`, `sys_chmod`, `sys_chown`, and similar calls on the inodes of these files. In a real-world scenario, an attacker who escalates privileges by modifying `/etc/passwd` to remove a password hash would generate an audit event with key details like the UID of the process and the exact change, aiding forensic analysis.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: To log any changes (write or attribute) to the password, shadow, and group files — The audit rules use the `-w` flag to watch the files `/etc/passwd`, `/etc/shadow`, and `/etc/group` for `wa` (write and attribute change) syscalls. This logs any modification to these critical authentication and authorization files, such as user additions, password changes, or permission changes, which is essential for security monitoring.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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