This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. [root@server ~]# ls -Z /etc/shadow system_u:object_r:shadow_t:s0 /etc/shadow
What does the output in the exhibit indicate about the /etc/shadow file?
Refer to the exhibit. [root@server ~]# ls -Z /etc/shadow system_u:object_r:shadow_t:s0 /etc/shadow
The file has an SELinux context.
The output format is standard for SELinux labels.
The file is encrypted.
Why wrong: ls -Z does not show encryption.
The file has an ACL applied.
Why wrong: ACLs are shown with getfacl, not with -Z.
The file is compressed.
Why wrong: ls -Z does not indicate compression.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The file has an SELinux context.
The output shows an SELinux context: system_u (user), object_r (role), shadow_t (type), and s0 (sensitivity). This indicates the file has an SELinux security label.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The file has an SELinux context.
Why this is correct
The output format is standard for SELinux labels.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
The file is encrypted.
Why it's wrong here
ls -Z does not show encryption.
The file has an ACL applied.
Why it's wrong here
ACLs are shown with getfacl, not with -Z.
The file is compressed.
Why it's wrong here
ls -Z does not indicate compression.
Common exam traps
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
Command / output trap
ls -Z does not show encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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.
What to study next
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
System Management — This question tests System Management — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: The file has an SELinux context. — The output shows an SELinux context: system_u (user), object_r (role), shadow_t (type), and s0 (sensitivity). This indicates the file has an SELinux security label.
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.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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