The correct answer is that Apache access and error logs are growing unchecked, as these log files are a primary cause of disk full due to log files Apache on web servers. Apache writes continuous entries to access and error logs by default in /var/log/httpd/ or /var/log/apache2/, and without log rotation configured, these files expand until they consume all available disk space. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your ability to identify common disk space hogs and interpret disk usage output, often presenting a trap where candidates overlook log growth in favor of database or application issues. A key memory tip is to remember the “log leak” pattern: if /var/log shows high usage on a web server, always suspect unchecked Apache logs before anything else.
XK0-005 Troubleshooting Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda2 50G 50G 0 100% /
The system is a web server running Apache and MySQL. Based on the exhibit, which of the following is the most likely cause of the full disk?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Apache access and error logs are growing unchecked
Apache access and error logs are a common cause of full disks on web servers because they can grow unchecked, consuming all available space. By default, Apache logs are stored in /var/log/httpd/ or /var/log/apache2/ and are not rotated unless logrotate is configured. The exhibit likely shows a high percentage of disk usage in /var/log, confirming that log files are the culprit.
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.
✗
A user has filled their home directory
Why it's wrong here
Home is often a separate partition or less likely.
✓
Apache access and error logs are growing unchecked
Why this is correct
Correct: Web server logs commonly fill root partitions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The /tmp directory is not being cleaned
Why it's wrong here
Less likely to use 50GB.
✗
The MySQL database has grown too large
Why it's wrong here
Possible, but logs are more common for rapid filling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the candidate's ability to distinguish between common disk-filling causes (logs, databases, user files) by presenting a scenario where the exhibit shows a specific directory (like /var/log) as full, leading candidates to overlook the log rotation misconfiguration and instead blame MySQL or user home directories.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Apache logs can grow rapidly under heavy traffic or due to repeated errors (e.g., 404s, 500s), and without log rotation (via logrotate or custom scripts), they can fill a disk within days. The default log level is 'warn', but misconfigurations like 'LogLevel debug' can exponentially increase log size. In real-world scenarios, a sudden traffic spike or a botnet attack can generate gigabytes of logs in hours, causing service outages.
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 practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
Troubleshooting — This question tests Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apache access and error logs are growing unchecked — Apache access and error logs are a common cause of full disks on web servers because they can grow unchecked, consuming all available space. By default, Apache logs are stored in /var/log/httpd/ or /var/log/apache2/ and are not rotated unless logrotate is configured. The exhibit likely shows a high percentage of disk usage in /var/log, confirming that log files are the culprit.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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