- A
selinuxenabled
Why wrong: Returns 0 if enabled, but not the mode.
- B
sestatus
Why wrong: sestatus shows more details, but getenforce directly shows mode.
- C
setenforce
Why wrong: setenforce changes mode, does not display.
- D
getenforce
Correct command.
Question 365 of 1,000
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 directly queries the SELinux status from the kernel and returns the current enforcement state without requiring elevated privileges. This makes it the correct command for simply viewing the current 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.
- ✗
selinuxenabled
Why it's wrong here
Returns 0 if enabled, but not the mode.
- ✗
sestatus
Why it's wrong here
sestatus shows more details, but getenforce directly shows mode.
- ✗
setenforce
Why it's wrong here
setenforce changes mode, does not display.
- ✓
getenforce
Why this is correct
Correct command.
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 `setenforce` (which changes the mode) with `getenforce` (which displays the mode), or they assume `sestatus` is the only command to check SELinux state, overlooking the simpler `getenforce` command specifically asked for the current mode.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
sestatus shows more details, but getenforce directly shows mode.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `getenforce` reads the `/sys/fs/selinux/enforce` pseudo-file, which contains a single character: '1' for Enforcing, '0' for Permissive. If SELinux is disabled, the file does not exist, and `getenforce` returns 'Disabled'. This command is part of the `libselinux` utilities and is commonly used in scripts to conditionally apply rules based on the current enforcement state, such as in automated hardening scripts that must avoid changing modes on a permissive system.
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.
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 directly queries the SELinux status from the kernel and returns the current enforcement state without requiring elevated privileges. This makes it the correct command for simply viewing the current 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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