- A
/etc/shadow
/etc/shadow stores encrypted passwords and aging data.
- B
/etc/group
Why wrong: /etc/group stores group information.
- C
/etc/passwd
Why wrong: /etc/passwd contains user account info but passwords are stored as 'x'.
- D
/etc/gshadow
Why wrong: /etc/gshadow stores group passwords.
Question 623 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 file contains user password hashes and aging information on a Linux system?
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
✓
/etc/shadow
The /etc/shadow file stores user password hashes along with password aging information, such as the last password change date, minimum and maximum password age, warning period, and inactivity lockout. This file is readable only by root (or privileged processes) to protect the hashed passwords from unauthorized access, unlike /etc/passwd which is world-readable.
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.
- ✓
/etc/shadow
Why this is correct
/etc/shadow stores encrypted passwords and aging data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
/etc/group
Why it's wrong here
/etc/group stores group information.
- ✗
/etc/passwd
Why it's wrong here
/etc/passwd contains user account info but passwords are stored as 'x'.
- ✗
/etc/gshadow
Why it's wrong here
/etc/gshadow stores group passwords.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse /etc/passwd with /etc/shadow, mistakenly thinking that /etc/passwd still stores password hashes, but modern Linux systems store them only in /etc/shadow for security.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The /etc/shadow file uses a colon-delimited format with nine fields: username, hashed password (typically using SHA-512 with a $6$ prefix), last change date (in days since epoch), minimum age, maximum age, warning period, inactivity period, expiration date, and a reserved field. Password aging is enforced by the PAM module pam_unix.so, which reads these fields during authentication to determine if a password change is required or if the account should be locked.
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.
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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: /etc/shadow — The /etc/shadow file stores user password hashes along with password aging information, such as the last password change date, minimum and maximum password age, warning period, and inactivity lockout. This file is readable only by root (or privileged processes) to protect the hashed passwords from unauthorized access, unlike /etc/passwd which is world-readable.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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