mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to 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.
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
✓
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.
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.
- ✗
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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
User and Group Administration
Key term
passwd
passwd is a command-line utility used on Linux and Unix-like systems to change a user's password, typically stored in an encrypted format in the /etc/shadow file.
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
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