- A
sestatus
Why wrong: Shows more detailed status, but the question asks for mode specifically.
- B
setenforce
Why wrong: Used to change mode, not display.
- C
selinuxenabled
Why wrong: Returns exit status, not the mode.
- D
getenforce
Displays the current SELinux mode.
Question 783 of 981
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which command displays the current SELinux mode?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
getenforce
The `getenforce` command displays the current SELinux mode as either Enforcing, Permissive, or Disabled. It reads the enforcing status directly from the kernel, making it the correct choice for checking the runtime mode.
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.
- ✗
sestatus
Why it's wrong here
Shows more detailed status, but the question asks for mode specifically.
- ✗
setenforce
Why it's wrong here
Used to change mode, not display.
- ✗
selinuxenabled
Why it's wrong here
Returns exit status, not the mode.
- ✓
getenforce
Why this is correct
Displays the current SELinux mode.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `sestatus` (which also shows the mode) with `getenforce`, but the exam expects the command specifically designed to output only the mode, and `setenforce` is often mistakenly chosen because it sounds like it 'gets' the enforce status.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows more detailed status, but the question asks for mode specifically.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `getenforce` reads the `/sys/fs/selinux/enforce` file (or the kernel's `selinux_enforcing` variable) to determine the mode. In a real-world scenario, administrators often use `getenforce` in scripts to conditionally apply rules based on whether SELinux is enforcing or permissive, avoiding the need to parse the verbose output of `sestatus`.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
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: getenforce — The `getenforce` command displays the current SELinux mode as either Enforcing, Permissive, or Disabled. It reads the enforcing status directly from the kernel, making it the correct choice for checking the runtime mode.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 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 XK0-005 exam.
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